NHIDCL assures NH-202 completion by May 2025
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 05 2024: National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has assured of completing the long-overdue double-laning of the NH-202 connecting Ukhrul-Imphal by May next year.

The assurance came during a joint inspection of the road conducted by Tangkhul CSOs led by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) on Thursday.

The team conducted a thorough examination of the highway conditions, and uncovered numerous sections in poor shape.

The inspection began at Finch Corner and culminated Wunghon village, Yaingangpokpi, covering a total distance of 31 km.

Following the survey, a press conference was held in Wunghon village, where TNL president Sword Vashum informed that the joint inspection was carried out in the backdrop of immense hardships the public have endured due to delays in road construction, which has been stalled for over three years.

The TNL leader declared that the CSOs have received assurances from the NHIDCL regarding the completion of the long overdue NH-202 construction by May of next year.

"If, for any unforeseen reason, this deadline cannot be met, we will allow an additional month, " he added.

NHIDCL, Ukhrul general manager Ajay Kumar, attending the press conference, reiterated the commitment to completing the long-awaited construction by May next year.

He noted that he had directed M/s Varaha Infra Limited to adhere to this new timeline.

Kumar also indicated that failing to meet this deadline would result in the agency being replaced.

He attributed the delays to issues related to forest clearance, land acquisition, and the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic.

The inspection team included Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) president Thingreiphi Lungharwo, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) president Themaso Tallanao, representatives from Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long (TNAL) and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) .

Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, UADC caretaker chairman Mark Luithing, along with the sub-divisional officers (SDOs) from Ukhrul and Phungyar blocks also joining them in the inspection.

According to the project's plans, the existing single-lane road is set to be upgraded to a double-lane road with a width of 7 metres.

As outlined in the sanction order, the completion timeline for the work was projected to be 24 months and the total estimated cost for the project was about Rs 260.4 crore.

It may be recalled that the expansion project of NH-202, which stretches from Yaingangpokpi village to Finch Corner in Ukhrul district covering a distance of 30.9 km in two packages of 17 km and 14 km, commenced back in September 2020 .

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