The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for an immediate inquiry into the execution and maintenance of National Highway projects by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in Nagaland, particularly the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane highway.

In a statement dated September 13, the Federation alleged poor workmanship, prolonged delays, inadequate maintenance and lack of effective monsoon preparedness on the highway. It particularly flagged the Medziphema-Peducha stretch, citing damaged road surfaces, inadequate drainage, deteriorating side structures, poor slope protection and delayed restoration works.

The NSF claimed that several people have lost their lives and others sustained serious injuries in rockfalls and other road-related incidents, which it attributed to alleged negligence in safety measures, slope stabilisation and timely remedial works.

The Federation also questioned the issuance of a Completion Certificate for Package-II of the Dimapur-Kohima project despite what it said were significant works still pending and continuing deficiencies on the road. It called for an inquiry by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) into the circumstances surrounding the certificate.

According to the NSF, although the project is covered by a five-year Defect Liability Period, several defects, including damaged road surfaces, inadequate drainage, collapsing side walls, poor slope protection and deficiencies in road-safety infrastructure, remain unaddressed.

The Federation further raised concerns over monsoon preparedness, including drainage maintenance, erosion control, slope stabilisation, retaining structures and emergency-response mechanisms.

The NSF said it had previously raised similar concerns in its August 19 statement and noted that complaints regarding workmanship and delays had also emerged from other NHIDCL projects across the state.

The Federation urged MoRTH to investigate the Dimapur-Kohima highway project, ensure immediate rectification of defects under the DLP and fix responsibility on officials, consultants and contractors if negligence or substandard work is established. It also called for appropriate contractual and disciplinary action against contractors responsible for defective or incomplete works.

In a major demand, the NSF urged the Centre and the Nagaland government to replace NHIDCL as the implementing agency for the Dimapur-Kohima stretch and entrust the project to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or State PWD (National Highways).

The Federation said it would continue monitoring NHIDCL projects across Nagaland and warned that it may initiate “appropriate democratic measures” if alleged negligence and poor workmanship continue.