Mumbai, Nov. 6 -- Ratna Infrastructure Project (RIPPL) has assured the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of National Highway-29 that the delayed Chakhabama-Kikruma road project in Nagaland will be completed by May 15, 2027. The commitment was made during a meeting at RIPPL's base camp in Kikruma, Phek district, on November 2.

The meeting followed a joint inspection of the National Highway-29 Package-II stretch from Chakhabama to Kikruma. JAC members, company representatives and organisations from Kohima, Phek, Meluri and Kiphire took part in the inspection, which began at RIPPL's stone quarry in Chakhabama and ended at the Kikruma base camp.

JAC Convenor Vivolie Kezo expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay and questioned the commitment of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) to completing the project on schedule. He noted that RIPPL was awarded the work on January 5, 2024, with January 4, 2026, set as the original completion deadline, but alleged that repeated extensions had been granted despite inadequate progress.

Kezo also raised concerns about construction quality and alleged that the contractor had not followed tender specifications. He cited shortages of machinery, manpower, raw materials and fuel, along with delays in staff salary payments, as factors affecting execution. The JAC sought a written commitment on transparency, coordination and the resolution of community concerns.

RIPPL authorised signatory Dr MSN Murthy assured the committee that construction quality would be maintained and said issues involving the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had been resolved. He said large-scale work would resume shortly after November 15, 2026, in line with the ministry's directive to complete the entire stretch by May 15, 2027. The JAC agreed to cooperate but said progress would be closely monitored. It warned that failure to meet the deadline would lead it to approach higher authorities, citing declining public confidence after years of delay.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.