Kohima: A significant demonstration unfolded in Nagaland’s Phek district on Saturday, May 10th, as members of the Nagaland’s students union took to the streets. Their collective voice echoed their deep dissatisfaction with the protracted delays plaguing the development of a crucial road in the Kikruma area.
The spirited protestors, largely comprising supporters of the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU), directed their impassioned slogans towards the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). This agency is the contracted entity responsible for the 29-kilometer Kohima-Jessami National Highway (Package 2) project, a vital artery for the region.
This critical highway serves as a lifeline, connecting the state capital Kohima with Jessami and facilitating movement for the residents of Kikruma, Phek, Meluri, and Kiphire districts. For an extended period, these communities have endured significant hardships stemming from frequent landslides, persistent road blockages, and overall poor road conditions that impede travel and jeopardize the safety of commuters.
Pfhulo Sara, the president of the CSU, articulated the growing frustration among the populace regarding the “lack of progress” on the project, despite the commencement of work on January 5, 2024. He emphasized that despite numerous appeals and a firm seven-day ultimatum issued on May 2nd, no discernible improvements have materialized. “With the monsoon season fast approaching, the deteriorating road condition presents a grave danger to those who travel this route and underscores a profound administrative indifference,” Sara stated, underscoring the urgent necessity for pothole repairs, effective drainage systems, and robust landslide mitigation measures.
The CSU had previously taken a firm stance in October 2024 by locking the NHIDCL office in Pfutsero as part of their initial phase of protest. Sara further voiced concerns over the sluggish pace of the construction, referencing a report from April 20th of the preceding year that indicated a mere 10.69 percent physical progress on the project. He expressed serious doubts regarding the contractor’s capacity to meet the stipulated January 2026 deadline for completion.
In a resolute call for immediate action, the CSU demanded the prompt deployment of sufficient machinery and an adequate workforce to expedite the project. The union issued a strong warning, vowing to initiate “stringent protests” if swift and tangible measures are not undertaken to address the long-standing grievances of the affected communities.