The first phase of the Jangpetkong Road Construction Project was launched at Orija Salang in Changki on Friday, marking the start of work on a road intended to improve connectivity in the region after decades of neglect. Phase I covers a 20-km stretch from Changki X Junction to the end of Dibuia village. It will be built as a 3.75-m-wide standard single-lane road under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The project cost is Rs. 397.1 mn, while the work order amount is Rs. 379.8 mn. The complete project will be implemented in three phases and will cover approximately 62 km from Changki X Junction to Luyong. Phase II is currently under process. Temjenmenba, MLA and Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, Nagaland, described the launch as the fulfilment of a long-standing demand and said the region had fallen several decades behind other areas because of inadequate roads. Temjenmenba appealed to village councils and landowners to cooperate with the project and provide land wherever required for the alignment. He cautioned that local disputes and personal interests should not delay the work, adding that the project should be treated as a people’s initiative rather than solely a government undertaking. The MLA said the project had been sanctioned under the Central Road Fund scheme, which required the contractor to begin work before receiving payment. He urged the executing agency to follow the guidelines and maintain transparency in construction quality. The Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), Mangkolemba Division, said the road had remained in use with support from church leaders, organisations, village leaders and local workers despite severe resource constraints. Niholu Ayemi of Ayemi Enterprises assured the gathering that the project would be completed within two years and sought cooperation and protection from village councils and residents. The programme was attended by representatives of village councils, church organisations and community bodies from across the Jangpetkong Range. No compensation will be provided for construction of the road.