Kohima, Aug. 5: The Nagaland government said the ongoing Special Accelerated Road Development Project in the state has not been abandoned.

The project is being implemented by Maytas and Gayatri of Hyderabad.

The government said the project had been temporarily suspended because of monsoon. A major portion of work will resume during working season. More than 80 per cent of earth work and 25 per cent of culverts have been completed on all the four roads.

“It is deeply regretted that the people of Zunheboto, Phek and Longleng districts are facing inconveniences and problems because of subsidence and mudslides during this rainy season. The contractor, however, is fully engaged in clearing all slides and the road is expected to be opened shortly,” a release issued by the public works department (national highways) said yesterday.

It said questions had also been raised on the revision of costs but the department said the initial detailed project report was found deficient as the quantum of earth work had been largely underestimated.

“It was only during implementation that such deficiencies were observed and works were carried out according to actual requirement. During the Indian Roads Congress meeting held in Kohima in May-June this year, road experts were taken to various spots and they have found the works acceptable,” the release said.

The Centre has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Vijay Chibber, special secretary and financial adviser to the Centre for inspection and follow-up action on execution of the roads.

The department clarified that costs of similar projects in other hilly regions are higher than that in Nagaland according to the original detailed project report.

The release said the project was under contract with the joint venture and the question of it being handed over to any other agency does not arise unless the contract is nullified according to procedures and terms of agreement.

“The department, once again, seeks the cooperation of all concerned so that the project can be completed on time,” chief engineer PWD (NH) Peter Solo said.

The Congress said the project has been abandoned by the contractors. The leader of the Opposition, Tokheho Yepthomi, said the two-lane roads from Chakabama-Zunheboto, Pfutsero-Phek, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong, Changtongya-Lonleng by contractor M/s Gayatri Maytas JV have been abandoned causing misery to the people because of worsening condition of the roads.

“The events have brought untold miseries to the people especially for travellers going to Zunheboto and Longleng districts,” Yepthomi said.