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The Union government has allowed Nagaland to proceed with land acquisition under the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965, for widening National Highway-202. The decision removes a key legal hurdle that had delayed the proposed upgrade of the existing single-lane highway to a two-lane road. The issue had centred on whether land should be acquired under the National Highways Act, 1956, or the state’s 1965 law, with Nagaland citing constitutional safeguards under Article 371(A). The Centre has also accepted the existing Detailed Project Report for NH-202 with technical modifications.
The Centre has cleared Nagaland’s request to acquire land under its state law for the proposed widening of National Highway-202, allowing the state to move ahead with the land acquisition process. Deputy Chief Minister T R Zeliang said the decision was reached after discussions with senior officials of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The proposed project involves widening the existing single-lane NH-202 into a two-lane road. Land acquisition had remained a major issue because of uncertainty over whether the process should follow the National Highways Act, 1956, or the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965. The state had raised concerns about using the central law in view of the constitutional safeguards provided to Nagaland under Article 371(A).
With the Centre allowing the state to use its 1965 legislation, the land acquisition process for NH-202 can now proceed under the agreed legal route. The decision is expected to help move the project forward after delays linked to the land acquisition issue.
The meeting also covered the proposed widening of NH-329A, NH-702A and the Foothill Road. These projects were discussed with senior officials of the Road Transport and Highways Ministry as part of the state's efforts to advance major road infrastructure works.
The Detailed Project Report for NH-202 was also reviewed. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has agreed to accept the DPR already submitted by the state, despite some technical deficiencies. Necessary changes will be made in consultation with the state-appointed consultant and MoRTH engineers.
The decision to retain the existing DPR is expected to save additional time. A fresh consultant could have required new surveys and several months of additional work before the project could progress. The existing report can instead be modified to address the technical requirements identified by the ministry.
The proposed NH-202 upgrade is particularly important for Tuensang, Shamator and Kiphire districts, where poor road conditions have created persistent difficulties for residents and affected connectivity. Improving the highway is expected to make movement between these areas easier and strengthen the transport network in the eastern part of Nagaland.
The land acquisition issue has been discussed at the state level for some time. A Kiphire district planning meeting earlier this year had also taken up land acquisition for the proposed upgrade of the existing single-lane NH-202. The matter was deferred for further discussion at the time.
The project has also faced concerns from affected landowners. Earlier this month, landowners along the proposed Kiphire-Akhego stretch raised objections over temporary maintenance work and sought progress on the two-laning project as well as payment of pending land compensation.
NH-202 is part of the wider road network connecting Nagaland with Manipur and is important for improving access to several remote areas. The latest clearance addresses the legal route for land acquisition, while further work will involve completing the land-related procedures and making the required technical changes to the project report.
Source PTI
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