Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways addressed questions regarding the four-lane highway Package II between Dimapur and Kohima in Nagaland. The project aims to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic growth. While Package II is complete and under maintenance, Package III has a revised completion target of June 2027. Quality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability are being ensured through adherence to Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards and continuous supervision.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Project Overview:**
* The Dimapur-Kohima Road project, part of the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North Eastern Region (SARDP-NE), spans approximately 78km.
* The four-lane highway aims to enhance connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima, as well as improve interstate connectivity with Manipur.
* The project has reduced travel time by up to three hours and is intended to boost economic activity, tourism, sericulture, and agro-product exports.
* **Project Status:**
* The Dimapur-Kohima Road is divided into five packages.
* Two packages of the Dimapur Bypass Road (Assam-Nagaland portion) are completed and under maintenance.
* Package I has achieved 99.81% physical progress.
* Package II is completed and under maintenance.
* Package III has a revised target completion date of June 2027.
* **Quality Assurance and Sustainability:**
* The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) ensures construction adheres to IRC quality standards.
* Authority Engineers (AE) / Independent Engineers (IE) supervise works daily.
* NHIDCL officials conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with quality standards.
* Corrective measures are implemented for any deficiencies observed.
* Actions are taken against defaulting agencies as per the contract agreement.
* Slope protection measures and a RCC Box Cell Viaduct using push technology are being implemented to address geological challenges and ensure long-term sustainability.
Impact Analysis:
* **Residents and Businesses in Nagaland:**
* *Impact:* Improved connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima, reduced travel time, and increased economic opportunities.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the improved infrastructure for commerce, tourism, and transportation of goods.
* **National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for ensuring the project adheres to quality standards, timelines, and budget.
* *Action Required:* Continue supervision, inspections, and implementation of corrective measures to maintain quality and meet the June 2027 deadline for Package III.
* **Contractors / Concessionaires:**
* *Impact:* Required to adhere to quality standards and contractual obligations.
* *Action Required:* Implement corrective measures as directed by NHIDCL and ensure work complies with IRC specifications.
Key Entities Referenced
Nitin Jairam Gadkari: Minister of Road Transport and Highways answering the question.
Nagaland: State in India where the four-lane highway project is located.
Dimapur: Commercial hub of Nagaland, connected by the highway.
Kohima: State capital of Nagaland, connected by the highway.
Dimapur-Kohima Road: The four-lane highway project between Dimapur and Kohima.
Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North Eastern SARDP NE Region: The program under which the Dimapur-Kohima Road project was conceived.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited NHIDCL: The agency responsible for ensuring quality standards in the highway construction.
Indian Roads Congress IRC: The standards to which all works are being executed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3053
ANSWERED ON 07TH AUGUST, 2025
FOUR LANE HIGHWAY IN NAGALAND
3053. Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi:
Shri Balabhadra Majhi:
Shri Dineshbhai Makwana:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the new four-lane highway (Package II)
between Dimapur and Kohima in Nagaland would improve connectivity
between Kohima and Dimapur and other major commercial centres in
the State;
(b) the expected completion date for this stretch and the standards
agreed upon; and
(c) the measures being implemented to ensure that the project meets
quality, cost- effectiveness and sustainability standards?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) The Dimapur–Kohima Road, including the Dimapur Bypass, was
conceived as a 4-lane Highway in the region under the Special
Accelerated Road Development Programme for North Eastern (SARDP-
NE) Region, covering a total length of approx. 78km across plain andhilly terrain. This corridor has significantly improved connectivity
between Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland, and Kohima, the
State capital, as well as enhanced inter-state connectivity with
Manipur. Its completion has reduced travel time by upto three hours,
facilitated economic growth, improved tourism, boosted sericulture
farming, enabled export of agro products, and provided better
connectivity to remote areas.
(b) The Dimapur–Kohima Road is divided into five packages:
i. Two packages of the Dimapur Bypass Road (Assam & Nagaland
portion) have been completed and are under the maintenance
period.
ii. The Dimapur–Kohima Road (Package-I) has achieved 99.81%
physical progress.
iii. The Dimapur–Kohima Road (Package-II) has been completed and
is under maintenance.
iv. Dimapur–Kohima Road (Package-III): The revised target for
completion is June, 2027.
All works are being executed as per Indian Roads Congress
(IRC) and standards.
(c) All efforts are made by National Highways and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to ensure that the project is
constructed as per stipulated quality standards specified in the IRC
specifications and codes. To ensure that Highway construction adheres
to stipulated quality standards, Authority Engineer/ Independent
Engineers (AE/IE) are appointed by NHIDCL for day-to-day supervision of
works at site. Officials of NHIDCL undertake inspections from time to
time and ensure adherence of conformity of quality of the work done by
the Concessionaire/ Contractors with stipulated requirements.
Deficiencies, if any, observed during such examination/ supervision are
brought to the notice of the Concessionaires/ Contractors for taking up
necessary corrective measures. Actions against defaulting agencies
are taken as per the provisions of the Contract agreement in case of
any defaults.The project stretches faces significant geological challenges and
vulnerabilities, which have affected progress and caused delays. To
address these issues and ensure long-term sustainability, slope
protection measures and the construction of a RCC Box Cell Viaduct
using push technology have been incorporated into the project scope.
These interventions are aimed at enhancing structural stability while
ensuring cost-effectiveness over the long run.
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