Ministers of Road and Bridges (R&B), Vikheho Swu and Forest Environment and Wildlife, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire lamented on the lack of coordination between the R&B department with PHE, Urban Development and Telecom companies for causing damages to roads while carrying out their respective works.
Addressing the officials of R&B Kohima circle-south division, Chiephobozou and Tseminyu at the NPWD conference hall Saturday, as part of the ‘power point presentation of division’, Vikheho mooted the idea of convening coordination meetings of R&B department with PHE, Urban development departments along with telecom companies to streamline a comprehensive plan on road maintenance.
He also asked officials to submit a blueprint of the cost (kilometer-wise) and work within a time frame, even before allocation of funds for the 394 roads in Kohima district.
He also emphasized on identifying work on the roads mostly used in Kohima for construction of pavements and side drains in public places like Razou point; shoulder development on roads, strict implementation in distribution of laborers and SA (kilometer-wise), privatization of work to reduce pressure for job by the public and the need to give “full attention” to the road from Seithogei to IG stadium in order to reduce traffic congestion in Kohima.
Dr. Nicky said that telecom companies claimed to have paid for damage to roads, but added, that many didn’t seem to even know the whereabouts of the payment. He said that the department should not be contractor-centric but to also take up works. Later, the ministers along with officials carried out inspection of various road construction sites.