On the second day of the Fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 29th August 2024, MLA, Achumbemo Kikon raised a starred question regarding the duration for the completion of four-lane road from Dimapur to Kohima and the reason for the delay in completing the project, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of PWD (National Highways), T.R. Zeliang informed that PKG I of the said road would likely to be completed by 31.12.2024 while PKG II was completed on 10th June 2023 and PKG III relating to road works was scheduled to be completed by 28th September 2025. He further stated that issues such as heavy rainfall accompanied by landslides and rockslides, Covid-19 pandemic, termination of contractors, improper planning, inadequate manpower, etc. as the main causes for the delay in completing the project. Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio further supplemented to the reply by citing several important issues including the incompetence of NHIDCL and their lackadaisical efforts towards timely completion of the project.
MLA, Nuklutoshi, in his starred question regarding the guidelines that contractors must follow for National Highway Works, he inquired whether the PWD (National Highways) has established any guidelines for contractors related to the expansion of national highways, specifically for public awareness, general safety, and ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles while work is on-going. He also asked if these guidelines apply to work orders issued before the guidelines were established. In response, the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of the PWD (National Highways), T. R. Zeliang, stated that such guidelines do exist and are applicable to all contractors, regardless of whether their contracts were signed before or after the guidelines were amended.
