Government pulls up BRO on NH-39 stretch

The State Government has pulled up the Border Roads Organization (BRO) for alleged failure to address to the poor condition of NH-39 stretch within Kohima town.
On Wednesday (August 6), the chief minister in a letter directed the chief secretary to immediately call up officers of the BRTF, the organization in-charge of maintenance of the NH-39, to convey the displeasure of the government on the “very bad shape of the roads” and “poor quality of other constructions in the roads maintained by the BRO”.
The letter mentioned that “the delay and callous attitude of the BRTF” was unbecoming of an organization of its stature.
Following the chief minister’s order, chief secretary Lalhuma Thursday wrote a reminder to the commander of the 15th BRTF stationed at Kohima, asking the latter to expedite the repairs of the road.
It may be mentioned the chief secretary had also earlier on July 16, 2008, written to the BRO on the same subject.
Lalhuma in the letter said the road condition at Old SP Point, one of the busiest intersections in the state capital, was in a pathetic condition.
The letter also said the progress of work on the repairs of the culvert opposite SKV Petrol Pump was “most unsatisfactory” and that there was no visible sign of a sense of urgency on the part of BRO as the organization had deployed minimum manpower.
The letter warned that with the onset of monsoons, there was every danger of the retaining wall collapsing again unless the earth filling of the completed portion of the retaining wall and urgent completion of the project, were expedited by deploying more manpower and machinery to the project site.
The letter also pointed out that cleaning of overgrowth, clearance of drains, filling up of potholes and painting of retaining walls in preparation of the Independence Day celebrations, had not started in spite of BRO’s assurances to the chief secretary.
The chief secretary further directed the commander of the BRO to take up the works on a war footing and confirm with the state government, while making it clear that if the response was not positive and timely, the state government would be compelled to bring the matter to the notice of the DG (BRO).
Mention may be made that some weeks back, senior officials of the state government along with technical experts of the roads and bridges department had rejected the poor quality of materials being used by the BRO in maintaining the NH 39. The BRO were made to replace their materials and use better quality construction materials.