As part of the survey of construction and repair of roads and bridges undertaking, minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Tongpang Ozukum today visited Dimapur to oversee the ongoing bridge construction works and other project sites at various locations in Dimapur.
The team started off its inspection visit from morning carrying on throughout the day and took stock of the condition of the works underway. The minister was accompanied by Commissioner and Secretary, Works and Housing Bendangkokba, deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel, and a host of engineering officials of the Department including its Chief Engineer Roads & Bridges Er. Lima.
Expressing his gratitude to the officials concerned for their tireless efforts towards development, the Minister urged them to give their best to the people and the state. In regard to work allocation to various contractors, the minister expressed gratitude to Ms. Nagami Constructions for the extra effort given in constructing the Chathe River Bridge and the Dhansiri River Bridge at Nagarjan even before the Government made any sanctions for the work. The locations visited by the minister today included RCC Bridge over Chathe river at 4th mile, the Balijan river bridge near Vihokhu, Bridge over Dhansiri river at Nagarjan, Balu/Lahorijan river bridge at veterinary colony and also the Hot Mix Plant at Dimapur Stadium, Duncan.
Ozukum said that the Bailey bridge construction will be completed within 2 weeks time, while the Balu River Bridge is expected to complete by August. The Minister further urged the Contractors concerned to expedite the work.
Meanwhile, clarifying on some technical clichés leading to delay in Pothole filing and repairing of main city roads, Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Dimapur Division, Er. Talitemsü Jamir said that the Hot Mix Plant which is set up in Dimapur stadium and used for pre-mix carpeting, has been seeing constant damage, interrupting the work for the last 4 to 5 days. Saying that the Hot Mix Technology, which delivers ten times faster and better services compared to the common Cold Mix Technology, Er. Jamir said due to the plant failure, the work was being taken up manually using Cold Mix Technology, which was why the progress of work was not as expected.
Addressing a press conference later in the evening today, Tongpang Ozukum reiterated the department’s stand that people should avoid plying on Nagarjan bridge and risking their lives, saying that no one knows what will happen next.
He expressed his awareness that there were no alternative route as of now but insisted that the public should listen to the precautionary measures given by the District Administration.