Kohima, September 25 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio raised various issues and concerns during the status review meeting of National Highways and SARDP road projects with Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation along with officials of the MoRTH at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, on Monday.
This was informed in a press release from the Nagaland State Chief Minister’s Office today.
Proposes road-over-bridge from Amar Flour Mill to Burma camp
The Chief Minister is said to have raised the proposal for construction of a two lane diversion including Road over bridge (ROB) from Amar Flour Mill near Nagaland check gate to Burma camp NH 29 on EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. Rio stated that the existing NH 129 and NH 29 passes through Dimapur city which is the biggest commercial hub of Nagaland connecting neighbouring districts of Assam - Karbi Anglong and Golaghat - and the diversion is urgently required to ease Dimapur city traffic congestion. Also to provide access to buses entering the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) which is located 700 meters away from the proposed road diversion. This will provide direct access to Dimapur bound passenger vehicles and avoid traffic congestion. The Chief Minister proposed that a toll gate will be installed for revenue collection for maintenance of the road and recovery of the investment made by MoRTH, informed the CMO.
For declaration of six roads as National highways
Neiphio Rio is also said to have urged for declaration of six roads in Nagaland as National Highways as they have been accorded “In Principle Approval.” The roads are (i) Showuba-Guzunyu-Pughoboto-Zunheboto-Aghunato-Noklak-Pangsha – 200 km; (ii) Trans-Eastern Highway from Mon-Longwa-Pangsha-Kiphire-Avangkhu – 280 km; (iii) NH- 29 to NH-29 (Dimapur By Pass) – 2.7 km; (iv) Gandhi Ashram-Chuchuyimlang (NH-2) to Pangsha (ITC) – 167 km; (v) Maibong-Tening in Nagaland to Tamenglong via Tamei in Manipur – 75 km; and (vi) Ramani Ali Simulguri – Bihubor in Assam to Mon in Nagaland – 71 km.
All these roads are under DPR preparation by the MoRTH appointed consultancy services for which they may be notified as National Highway before November 2018, Rio stated. This will enable the State Government to maintain the roads on a regular basis. Presently, the roads are not maintained due to resource constraints.
Presses for approval of Trans-Nagaland Highway (Foothill Road)
Rio further pressed for the approval and sanction of the proposed two-lane Trans-Nagaland Highway (earlier known as Foothill Road) during the financial year 2018-19. The project has been divided into three phases. The first Phase (Amguri to Niuland) covering a stretch of 189 km where survey is completed by the consultancy services and Draft Feasibility Report (DFR) has been submitted on July 25. The consultant for this phase was empanelled and appointed by MoRTH. The proposed first phase alignment of the Trans-Nagaland Highway runs similar to the surveyed DFR.
In this regard, the State Government has approved the proposed alignment of the first phase and notified land possession as per specification on September 21. It also informed that the DPR for the first phase is in final stage of completion and will be submitted in the first week of November 2018.
The Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister for appointment of consultancy services for the remaining two phases of the project (Tizit to Amguri – 106 km, and Niuland to Athibung – 79 km) during 2018-19.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Dy. CM Y. Patton and State Government officials, informed the CMO.
