Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, April 25:
In an era where delayed deadlines and substandard road works have become synonymous with national highway projects across India, the successful completion of the Jessami to Akash Bridge stretch on National Highway-202 has become a shining exception — setting a new standard for excellence, efficiency, and integrity in infrastructure development.
The 14.72-km stretch under NH-202 Package No. 2, connecting Jessami Gate to the border landmark of Akash Bridge, has been completed within the stipulated time of 24 months — beginning on 20th February 2023 and successfully wrapping up on 19th February 2025. Executed by HVs Construction Materials Pvt. Ltd under the supervision of NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.), the project has drawn praise from villagers, engineers, and journalists alike.
A team of journalists from the Ukhrul District Working Journalists Association (UDWJA) recently visited the project site — located 115 km from Ukhrul district headquarters — to verify on-ground progress. The team confirmed that the double-lane highway is now fully operational up to Akash Bridge, marking the end of Manipur’s jurisdiction along NH-202 before entering Nagaland.
The Jessami Village Council Secretary, Eno Asset Weza, expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “The completion of this highway segment has brought immense joy and relief to our people. For decades, we struggled on broken roads. Today, our dream of a safe, high-quality highway has finally come true.”
Project Manager Navneet Kumar Nishra and General Manager of HVS Construction assured that their company maintained strict quality control throughout the project, with zero compromise on technical specifications.
They also revealed that work is ongoing on two more segments: Jessami to Marem Khullen (44.5 km, Package No. 6) and Jessami to Lanye (11.09 km, Package No. 7), showing a promising continuity of development in the region.
Site Engineer from NHIDCL, Shivam Gaur, stated, “All required quality checks, including bitumen and compaction tests, have been conducted by third-party evaluators. This road stands as a model for how NH projects in Manipur’s hill areas can be delivered on time with high standards.”
The Jessami-Akash Bridge road will further link the region with Meluri (32 km away) and Kiphire (117 km), boosting connectivity, trade, and regional integration. In contrast to many delayed and disputed highway projects across Manipur, this stretch offers a rare success story — one that could serve as a blueprint for future NH constructions in the state.
This well-executed infrastructure not only symbolizes effective governance and technical excellence but also demonstrates the impact that timely and quality construction can have in transforming lives in remote border villages.