Kohima, September 18 (MExN): The Zhadima Village Council (ZVC) has urged the Nagaland government to expedite work on two key roads connecting Kohima and Dimapur, citing prolonged delays and public inconvenience.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ZVC highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Kohima–Bokajan road via Zhadima–Niuland, a 68-km stretch originally built during World War II by the British. Describing it as a vital alternative route during disruptions along NH-29, the Council lamented its decades-long neglect despite repeated appeals.
ZVC also pointed to the delayed completion of the Capital Bypass Road (Kohima–Dimapur via Tsiesema–Zhadima–Viphoma–Niuland), noting that while Phases II and III are either complete or motorable, Phase I (Niuland–Dimapur) remains stalled due to unresolved land issues. The Council questioned the delay, citing the expiry of the original timeline and repeated assurances by the concerned department.
It is disheartening that one important road has been left in isolation, and the other remains incomplete for reasons best known to the department, the Council said, adding that the issue had even been deliberated in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly last year, without any positive outcome.
Calling for the State Government to take direct responsibility, ZVC urged decisive steps to address public hardships and ensure road connectivity.
While extending support to the protest by Hovishe and Ghotovi villages over departmental inaction, the Council also appealed to them to reconsider their indefinite road blockade, citing the suffering of ordinary citizens reliant on NH-29.
In must be noted here that the two villages jointly announced the lifting of the bandh it imposed on the road with effect from September 17 following assurances from the Chief Engineer, PWD (Road&Bridges) that the road has been recommended for consideration under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) priority list for 2025–26.
