Kohima: The Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) ended its protest and reopened the PWD (R&B) executive engineer’s office in Noklak. The move came after the department pledged to fast-track critical road work in the district. Union leaders met with PWD officials and contractor M/s Naagaamii Infra Tech Pvt. Ltd. to address the status of the Chendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha Road and the Noklak-Thonoknyu road via Sanglao.
Tensions flared over claims that land compensation disputes stalled construction. During the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session, the contractor blamed compensation issues for project delays. KSU pushed back hard. The union stated, "The Khiamniungan community had never claimed or demanded compensation for land used for the developmental works." The contractor later issued an apology, which the union accepted.
The engineer-in-chief confirmed that projects under the NLCPR scheme do not include land compensation payments. Officials also noted a proposal submitted for the Peshu-Thonoknyu road under SASCI 2026-27 priorities. The department promised to push the state government to resolve all local concerns.
KSU set four specific project deadlines. The 31-km Chendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha Road, valued at Rs.164.80 crore, must finish within 12 months. The Noklak-Thonoknyu Road must hit major district road standards with a 5.5-metre width inside 24 months. Contractors must also speed up the Noklak-Pathso Road. Finally, the 88-km Lang River-Taingan Road, including the Wui village extension, must finish per the revised November 19, 2024, report.
The union expects full compliance. They are watching closely.
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