Warns of blockading Dimapur-Chümoukedima 4-lane
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 10
The Diphupar Village Council has alleged irregularities in two flood mitigation projects that were reportedly undertaken in the village under the SASCI Scheme 2025-26. The DVC issued a 15-day deadline to the government, demanding explanation from the government. It warned that failure to do so will result in the blockading the Dimapur to Chümoukedima 4-lane, which forms part of NH 229.
The DVC made the allegation at a press conference in Diphupar on August 10. Village Council member, BE Winnerson Lotha produced a document from the Finance Department dated January 15, 2026.
It contained a list of projects sanctioned via the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), out of which two were for Diphupar village— ‘Restoration of flood damage infrastructure from K Khel Diphupar A’ worth Rs 4 crore, and ‘Flash flood mitigation work, Diphupar K Khel Connecting Airport Road,’ worth Rs 3 crore.
As per the Finance Department’s January 15 sanction letter, the funds were to be utilised by March 31, 2026. Lotha however claimed that the DVC has no knowledge of the said funds or the projects, and no work has been executed on the ground.
K Khel Gaonbura Pukhalu Awomi stated that apart from activities by an individual near the Chathe River, the designated areas remain untouched. “With such an amount sanctioned for our (K) Khel, has any work been done or not? We want to know who the contractor is,” Awomi stated, adding that the council will launch a total blockade, if clarification is not provided by August 25.
The village representatives also raised concerns over soil erosion. GB Tohovi Sumi recalled that the district authorities had warned against soil/boulder excavation near the Chathe River bridge near the CIHSR since 2017. He said that it has contributed to riverbank erosion.
Meanwhile, senior citizen and former village council member, I Wati Lemtur said, “The Central Government prepared these papers to save the area from the monsoon. Why has our State Government not implemented it?” He said that riverbank erosion during the monsoon continues to sweep away houses and displace residents.
The DVC demanded that the state government declare the details of the project allocation and the identity of the contractor to whom the works were allotted. If a response is not delivered within the 15-day ultimatum, they said that a Right to Information (RTI) filing was on the way, in tandem with the blockading of the Dimapur to Chümoukedima highway.
