Landowners in Jampui Hills accuse NHIDCL of land rights violations, delayed compensation, and unsafe highway construction causing landslips, property loss, and community damage since 2023, demanding urgent accountability and justice.
A prolonged dispute over a highway construction project has intensified in Tripura’s Jampui Hills, where landowners allege that unresolved grievances have caused widespread damage to property, livelihoods, and community infrastructure. Residents of Tlaksih village say their concerns have remained unaddressed since 2023, despite repeated appeals to authorities.
The controversy centers around work carried out by National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, which villagers accuse of conducting unscientific construction practices that triggered severe landslips in the hilly terrain. According to local accounts, these incidents have not only destabilized the environment but also destroyed agricultural land critical to the community’s survival.
Farmers claim that initial assurances promised compensation for land falling within a 30-meter project corridor. However, construction activities allegedly expanded beyond 50 meters in several stretches, leading to significant encroachment onto private land. Villagers argue that this expansion has resulted in the loss of fertile farmland, with nearly eight acres of plantation reportedly damaged.
Despite lodging multiple complaints with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Kanchanpur and the District Magistrate over the past three years, residents say their cases have seen little to no progress. They allege that assessment reports submitted for compensation remain pending without explanation, deepening frustration and mistrust toward the administration.
Tensions have further escalated with the construction of retaining walls, which villagers claim required additional land acquisition. According to locals, portions of private property were used without proper consent or compensation. Some residents have also alleged intimidation tactics, including threats of legal action, when attempting to raise objections.
The human cost of the project has been substantial. Around 15 families have reportedly lost their homes due to landslips and construction-related damage. Community assets have also suffered, with nearly 30 graves destroyed and the village’s only school affected. Additionally, access roads have become increasingly unsafe, posing daily risks to residents.
Although a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 20, 2026, reportedly resulted in assurances from officials, villagers say no meaningful follow-up action has been taken. They further allege that official land demarcations were altered without informing or involving affected landowners, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
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Authorities have reportedly classified the damage as a natural disaster, providing limited relief through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). However, residents strongly contest this characterization, describing the situation as a “man-made disaster” caused by negligence and poor planning.
With a resurvey of the affected areas currently underway, villagers fear additional delays in compensation and resolution. Many say their confidence in the administration has significantly eroded, as they continue to demand accountability, fair compensation, and recognition of their land rights.
