Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced that the long-delayed highway widening project in the state will soon begin. The compensation issues are expected to be resolved soon, while funds from the central government are awaited.

The Centre has allocated Rs 11.9 billion to compensate both the state forest department and landowners affected by the project, which involves expanding parts of NH-6 and NH-306. These highways serve as crucial lifelines, connecting Mizoram to the rest of the country via Assam.

Though the highway widening project, approved a few years ago, aims to upgrade the roads to four lanes, its implementation has been delayed due to disputes over land ownership and compensation. On his return to Aizawl after a visit to Delhi, Lalduhoma told reporters that he had participated in review meetings chaired by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to address the challenges hampering the project.

The prime minister explained that deforestation and land disputes have been the main obstacles. The state forest department claims some land along the highway as reserve forest areas, while locals claim legal ownership based on tax payments and valid documents.

“We have requested the Home Minister to compensate both parties to resolve the long-standing issues and expedite the project,” Lalduhoma said.

Gadkari has agreed to allocate Rs 900 million to the forest department and Rs 11 billion to landowners to facilitate the project. This is the first time such an arrangement has been made.

Last month, over 2,000 landowners along NH-6 and NH-306 staged protests demanding that ownership disputes be resolved and fair compensation be paid. With the Centre’s approval, the project is now set to go ahead after years of delay.