Nagaland Student Federation slams NHIDCL over substandard road projects
Expressing severe concern over the poor quality of workmanship, prolonged delays, and gross negligence in the execution of highway infrastructure projects, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has lashed out at the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and demanded immediate blacklisting of defaulting contractors.
In a press statement issued from its headquarters, the NSF highlighted the deplorable condition of the upgraded 4-lane Dimapur-Kohima Road, pointing out that despite receiving a Completion Certificate in 2023, the stretch continues to suffer from collapsing side walls, inadequate drainage systems, missing slope protection measures, and an absence of timely repairs.
The student body noted that although the project falls under a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP), NHIDCL has failed to execute mandatory maintenance. The federation also raised alarms over structural compromises on several bridges along the Dimapur-Kohima stretch, where four-lane bridge standards were allegedly disregarded.
“Public resources cannot continue to be squandered on projects that fail to meet even the most basic standards of safety, durability, and engineering integrity,” stated NSF President Mteisuding and General Secretary Kenilo Kent in the joint release.
The NSF further noted that similar grievances regarding compromised construction quality have emerged from several other projects, including the Kohima Bypass Road, Kohima-Mao Road Upgradation, Akash Bridge-Jessami Road (NH-202), and the Peren-Dimapur Section (NH-129A).
