Angami Public Organisation (APO) has expressed discontentment at the “snail-paced progress” of the ongoing construction of four-lane NH-29 from Dimapur to Kohima under the aegis pf National Highways& Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).
In a statement, APO president Razouvotuo Chatsu and assistant general secretary Lhousito Khro, lamented that the deplorable condition of the road, especially from Piphema to Jotsoma (Package-III), has become hazardous and endangering lives of all commuters besides regularly causing traffic snarls.
APO said it was it was a matter of serious concern that despite claiming to have engaged multiple contracting firms, there was still no sign of progress and that the condition of the road has only worsened further with the onslaught of monsoon.
APO said it was also very disheartening that little or no repair works had been initiated to ease the plight of people.
APO said it questioned the sincerity and competency of NHIDCL and the contracting firms engaged for the project especially for the stretch under Package-III, in the interest of public safety.
As the patience of the public was running thin, APO warned that further delay of work on flimsy grounds would only invite hostility as it was high time the corporation (NHIDCL) ensured completion of the project as per schedule.
With monsoon season set to end, APO asked NHIDCL to make all efforts to expedite completion of the vital road project which serves as lifeline of Nagaland and the neighbouring States. Also with festive season approaching, that attracts thousands of tourists to the State, APO said it was a crucial time for the local tourism industry, specifically the local entrepreneurs who had invested much for their livelihoods.
However due to the present deplorable road condition, APO said the road would only become a deterrent for tourists, thereby adversely affecting the State’s economy. Further APO also urged NHIDCL to make all out efforts to complete the four-lane road project without further delay in view of the high stakes involved.
APO also asked the State government to “aggressively negotiate” and take NHIDCL and contracting firms to task since daily commuters and Naga public were getting impatient with the slow pace of works.
It also requested the State government to strongly support the recent representation by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her maiden visit to the State through chief minister Neiphiu Rio on development package-1, NH-39 (now NH-2/A-1) length– 26.79 km from Lerie CHN 185.540–and Nagaland-Manipur boundary. APO said that this particular stretch of NH, although just a fraction of the entire length, was a vital route that connected two States and beyond for trade and commerce.
APO cautioned that unless this stretch was taken up along with others at the same time and standard at par with any other NH of the country, the idea of Act East Policy, as conceived by the Centre would remain only a distant dream.
It mentioned that the NH from Kohima to Mao gate served as one of the main arteries of trade and commerce and transport for development of two neighbouring States.
APO appealed to both Nagaland and Manipur to earnestly request the Central government and the ministry involved to accord top priority on SAPO’s appeal.
As the apex body of Angami tribe and through whose territory the NH passed, APO said it was prepared to render any logistics support for unhindered progress of the work.
Meanwhile, APO also asked NHIDCL to reveal if there was any disturbance caused by public of the area or whether any organisation or group was responsible for slow pace of development. APO said it was always ready to exercise its influence to remove such lacunae for timely completion of the project.
APO however said that if NHIDCL or any contractor was found intentionally slowing the work progress on flimsy excuses to buy time for their personal gain at the cost of public conveniences, it would seriously deal with such nefarious designs through litigation and any other option available at their disposal.
