Kohima: Construction crews broke ground at Orija Salang in Changki on Friday. This marks the start of the first 20-kilometer phase of the Jangpetkong Road Construction Project. The route runs from Changki X Junction to the edge of Dibuia village. The project carries a total price tag of Rs. 39.71 crore. The final work order sits at Rs. 37.98 crore. Plans divide the full 62-kilometer stretch to Luyong into three distinct phases.
Temjenmenba, MLA and Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, presided over the launch. He noted that the region has suffered from subpar infrastructure since Nagaland became a state. “A dream for 30–40 years, a need of all the citizens, is being fulfilled today. We are creating history,” he told the crowd. The MLA warned that the area currently lags 40 to 50 years behind other regions due to the lack of viable access. He demanded full cooperation from local landowners, noting there will be no compensation for the land used.
Engineers are building a 3.75-meter-wide single-lane road using the Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode. Funding comes through the Central Road Fund scheme. Contractors must start the job before receiving any payout. Er. Chubatoshi, the Executive Engineer for the Mangkolemba Division, pointed out that the road previously faced extreme budget limits. He cited instances where the division had less than Rs. 5,000 per year to maintain a single kilometer of road.
Niholu Ayemi, director of the firm Ayemi Enterprises, promised a two-year completion timeline. He asked for protection from local village councils while crews work. Representatives from church groups, community bodies, and village councils attended the event to support the project. They expect this work to finally connect the Jangpetkong range to the rest of the state.
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