NH-202 land acquisition has received a major boost after the Centre allowed Nagaland to proceed under the state’s 1965 land acquisition law for the widening of National Highway-202. The decision removes a key policy hurdle that had delayed the project and is expected to help the state move ahead with land-related formalities for the proposed highway upgrade.
Centre clears state law for NH-202 land acquisition
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister T R Zeliang announced the development after meeting senior officials of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed several major road projects in the state, including NH-202, NH-329A, NH-702A and the proposed Foothill Road.
The main issue surrounding NH-202 land acquisition was the legal framework to be followed. The state had reservations about acquiring land under the National Highways Act, 1956, and had sought permission to use the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965.
The issue is linked to Nagaland’s special constitutional safeguards under Article 371(A), which protect customary practices and other rights relating to land and resources. The state government had therefore maintained that applying the central law directly could create difficulties concerning land ownership and transfer.
Why NH-202 land acquisition matters
The proposed NH-202 upgrade is important for eastern Nagaland, particularly Tuensang, Shamator and Kiphire districts. Residents in these areas have faced persistent difficulties because of poor road conditions.
The project proposes widening the existing road to improve connectivity and transport. Earlier government notifications show that land acquisition has already been initiated for several stretches. In Tuensang, land between kilometre 39 and 106.650, as well as sections around 118 and 120 kilometres, was identified for widening.
In Shamator, authorities identified the stretch from 106.650 km to 118 km for widening the existing single-lane road into a two-lane highway with paved shoulders. The Deputy Commissioner invited claims and objections from affected parties under Section 9(2) of the 1965 state law.
Kiphire also issued notifications covering stretches from 176 km to 190 km and from 241 km to 283 km for the proposed widening. These notifications demonstrate the scale of the land-related work required before construction can progress.
Project faces a long-standing legal hurdle
The NH-202 land acquisition issue had remained unresolved for some time, contributing to delays in sanctioning the project. A state government publication in 2024 noted that approval for NH-202 was pending at the ministry because of unresolved land compensation issues. Authorities were working on district-wise land rates to address the matter.
The project has also involved discussions over compensation. In October 2024, Zeliang said the state planned to amend its 1965 land law specifically for national highway projects. The proposed changes were intended to bring the state framework closer to the National Highways Act, 1956, and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The state’s position has focused on maintaining the constitutional protections applicable to Nagaland while ensuring landowners receive appropriate compensation.
DPR decision may prevent further delays
The Centre’s latest decision also addressed the Detailed Project Report for NH-202. According to Zeliang, MoRTH agreed to accept the DPR already submitted by the state, despite certain technical deficiencies, with modifications to be made in consultation with the state-appointed consultant and ministry engineers.
This arrangement could save considerable time because appointing a new consultant would have required fresh surveys and additional preparation. With the DPR issue addressed alongside the land acquisition question, the project can now move towards the next stages.
The proposed highway forms part of a wider effort to strengthen road connectivity across Nagaland. The Centre and state also discussed the proposed widening of NH-329A and NH-702A, along with the Foothill Road, during the New Delhi meeting.
Road upgrade expected to improve connectivity
The latest decision on NH-202 land acquisition is expected to provide greater clarity for district administrations and affected landowners. Once acquisition procedures and compensation-related matters are completed, the highway project can progress towards implementation.
For communities in Tuensang, Shamator and Kiphire, improved road infrastructure could make travel easier, strengthen access to markets and public services, and support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods.
The Centre’s approval therefore marks an important step for NH-202 land acquisition and the wider highway expansion plan. Attention will now turn to completing the remaining legal, administrative and technical processes so that the long-delayed road improvement work can advance.
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