The Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO) president Kepelhoutuo Chüsi and general secretary Pekruvotuo Nisa, in a joint representation addressed to deputy commissioner Kohima, conveyed WAPO’s displeasure and resentment on the lackadaisical and callous attitude of the NHIDCL contractors towards construction of 4-lane road under Package-III.
WAPO alleged that though the latest work order was issued to the construction company (Ms Brand Eagles) in October 2023, there has been no significant progress seen so far.
Since the Package III fell under DC Kohima jurisdiction WAPO said the incumbent was supposed to oversee and monitor the progress of the work as the officer is “very much responsible”.
WAPO urged upon the DC to ensure that the firm works to achieve considerable progress before the rainy season. It said if the firm was not interested in the project, then it should not venture to participate in the bid and deprive other contenders.
WAPO said it was in favour of eligible local contractors who could undertake the work better with ownership spirit since they have knowledge of topography and soil texture. WAPO also mentioned that the NHIDCL, after setting aside the Gauhati High Court’s directive, went to Supreme Court for fresh NIT.
“Now, with NHIDCL wisdom, we could see the same old snail’s pace of work to which we are so upset and bereft of confidence despite the tall talks about NHIDCL,” WAPO added.
The signatories said even if they were not engineers or technical persons, they were the masters of their own soil and topography, and thus reminded the contractors of these facts.
WAPO said earth cutting has to be followed by construction of retaining walls with strong foundation otherwise, without which massive mudslides could be triggered. It insisted that this should be done before the onset of the rainy season.
WAPO also pointed out past instances, where earth cutting triggered unexpected landslides causing damage to many terrace fields. WAPO said it was also taken aback to observe that some retaining walls were uprooted by minor mudslides. It said this exposed the depthless foundation.
The signatories lamented that people’s dream for a good road had been shattered by various construction companies and the NHIDCL.
WAPO said it’s patience was not unlimited and asked how long should people have to live under a hazardous environment while hoping against hope for a good road? WAPO informed that it could even resort to monitoring the work on day-to-day basis through its youth forces and volunteers.
