NH-29 project delay: USSC, PSU extend support to CSU agitation

Kiphire, September 26 (MExN): The United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) and Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) on Saturday extended its “full and unwavering support” to the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) over the sealing of the base camp of M/s Ratna Infrastructure Project Pvt Ltd at Kikruma and its demand for immediate termination of the contractor.

The USSC in a press statement said it shares the “deep anguish and frustration” of the public over the inordinate delay in the NH-29 two-lane (Kohima-Jessami Road) Package-II project, which it described as the lifeline for the people of Kiphire district and several other regions of Nagaland.

It said students, patients, traders, government employees and citizens rely on the route to access education, healthcare, commerce and essential services.

Despite an extension of time till September 24, the contractor’s progress remains at a dismal 44.30 per cent, causing dust, mud, accidents, economic loss and untold hardship to the inhabitants, the USSC said.

“We are equally shocked and dismayed to learn that District Administration forcibly removed the democratic sealing carried out by CSU. Suppressing a genuine, peaceful and democratic agitation of the students’ body, instead of addressing the failure of the contractor and NHIDCL, is highly condemnable,” it said.

The USSC endorsed CSU’s demand for termination of M/s Ratna and retendering within 72 working hours, and questioned the District Administration’s role as head of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) in failing to ensure timely completion of the project.

It warned that any attempt to suppress the people’s democratic movement will only invite greater public resentment, for which the administration shall be solely responsible.

The student body called upon all citizens and affiliated units to stand united with the CSU in “this fight for our common future”, adding, “This is not just a CSU agitation, it is a people’s movement for justice, safety and development.”

The Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) in a separate statement stated that the Kohima–Jessami arterial highway, PSU said, is a “vital lifeline” not only for Phek District but also for Meluri District, connecting the entire Pochury homeland and border communities with the rest of the State. It accused the EPC contractor, M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Lt, of subjecting commuters, patients, students, transporters and the general public to “prolonged hardship, serious safety hazards and adverse economic consequences.”

Citing grounds for its support, PSU said the project was awarded on October 10, 2023, with an original completion deadline of January 4, 2026. Despite an Extension of Time up to September 24, 2026 granted by NHIDCL, physical progress stands at “an abysmal 44.30%.”

It said the contractor failed to honour a Six-Point Agreement signed on June 22, 2026 with the CSU and NHIDCL, neither deploying committed machinery and workforce nor undertaking adequate road maintenance. Joint site inspections on July 13 and August 4, 2026 reportedly revealed “unmotorable stretches, recurrent vehicular accidents and acute distress among the travelling public.”

“The sealing of the Ratna Base Camp on September 25, 2026 reflects the growing exhaustion of public patience with the continued failure to address the longstanding concerns,” PSU said, adding that the demands raised by the CSU were fully endorsed.

PSU fully endorses the demand for immediate termination of the contract with M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd within the stipulated 72 working hours.