Phek (Nagaland): Frustration over prolonged delays in a critical road infrastructure project sparked a protest rally on Saturday in Nagaland’s Phek district, with the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) leading the charge against the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The protest took place in the Kikruma area, where the 29-kilometre stretch of the Kohima-Jessami National Highway (Package 2) remains largely undeveloped despite construction officially starting on January 5, 2024.
This route serves as a vital connection for residents of Kikruma, Phek, Meluri, and Kiphire, who continue to suffer from hazardous road conditions marked by landslides, frequent blockages, and poor accessibility.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, CSU members accused NHIDCL—the agency responsible for executing the project—of gross negligence.
CSU President Pfhulo Sara said the community’s patience is wearing thin.
“Despite repeated petitions and even a seven-day ultimatum issued earlier this month, there has been no visible progress on the ground,” he said.
Sara highlighted that with the monsoon season fast approaching, the deteriorating road conditions could pose a serious threat to daily commuters.
He stressed the immediate need for drainage installation, pothole repairs, and landslide prevention efforts, calling the current inaction a reflection of administrative apathy.
This isn’t the first time CSU has taken a stand. In October 2024, the Union locked the NHIDCL office in Pfutsero as part of an earlier phase of protest, demanding action.
However, an internal project report dated April 20, 2024, showed only 10.69% physical progress, raising concerns about whether the contractor can meet the project’s targeted completion by January 2026.
“The pace of work is alarmingly slow. We question whether the contractor has the capacity or intent to complete this project on time,” Sara added.
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The student union has now called for urgent deployment of machinery and workforce to accelerate the construction process.
It also warned that if there is no prompt response from the authorities, the CSU will escalate its protest through more stringent means.
The Kohima-Jessami highway is not just a road—it’s a lifeline for remote communities in southern Nagaland.
