The Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges), Government of Nagaland, wishes to clarify the statement made during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Starred Question No. 18 pertaining to the foreclosure of two projects on an 'as-is, where-is' basis: (1) construction of the road from Noklak to Thonoknyu via Sanglao (14.54 km), and (2) construction of the road from Jendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha Phase-II (31.00 km).

The Contractor, while seeking an Extension of Time (EoT), cited disturbances from landowners demanding compensation along the alignment as one of the reasons for the slow progress and non-completion of the project on time. The same reason was furnished by the department in reply to Starred Question No. 18 during the 14th NLA session.

However, the department clarifies that the project was not proposed for foreclosure due to land compensation issues; rather, it was closed because the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme had been discontinued since December 2017 by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER). Consequently, the project was closed to avoid duplication and ensure that the remaining work could be taken up under new central or state schemes.

During a joint meeting at Noklak on 28th October, 2026, the contractor informed the department and the Khiamniungan Students' Union (KSU) that work had not been stopped by land compensation disputes, and expressed regret that this reason had been cited.

The Noklak district being at the frontier of Nagaland and a strategic asset to the state, the department is taking priority measures to complete the remaining work.