Kohima | The Chakhesang Students Union (CSU) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), demanding termination of the contractor handling the delayed NH-29 Kohima-Jessami Road project and threatening a total blockade of the highway from September 30.

The apex student body of Nagaland’s Phek district also sealed the contractor’s base camp at North Kikruma on September 25, alleging that the company had failed to complete the road work despite repeated extensions.

CSU president Povozo Soho said the union had been pursuing the issue for the past two years and had given the contractor several opportunities to meet its commitments.

“We cannot tolerate anymore,” Soho said while addressing the media at the contractor’s base camp.

CSU general secretary Rhilo Chiero said the Chakhabama-Kikruma package was awarded to the contractor on October 10, 2023, with January 4, 2026, set as the original completion deadline.

The deadline was subsequently extended by NHIDCL to September 24. The extended deadline expired on Thursday, but the union claimed that only 44.30 per cent of the physical work had been completed.

The CSU also alleged that the contractor had failed to deploy sufficient machinery and manpower and had not undertaken necessary maintenance work along the stretch.

In a memorandum submitted to the Executive Director (Projects) of the NHIDCL Regional Office in Kohima, the union said the prolonged delay had caused considerable hardship to people dependent on the highway.

It described NH-29 as a key lifeline for residents of Phek, Meluri and Kiphire districts in Nagaland as well as adjoining areas of Manipur.

The student body also cited a six-point agreement signed on June 22 between the CSU, NHIDCL and the contractor, aimed at facilitating completion of the project. However, it alleged that the contractor failed to meet the commitments made under the agreement.

Following the alleged failure to achieve the agreed targets, the CSU said it sealed the contractor’s base camp on Friday and would not permit further work under the package.

The union has demanded that NHIDCL terminate the existing contractor and invite fresh tenders for the project.

It warned that failure by NHIDCL to act within 72 working hours would lead to a total blockade of NH-29 from September 30.