DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): General Manager of NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation) has responded to the clarifications sought by the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) on a number of issues related to the deplorable and hazardous road condition of NH-29 which is under construction.
The CPO through a press statement dated October 3, 2019 had asked the NHIDCL to clarify with regard to the road damages, repair and maintenance of the existing road between Dimapur and Kohima (NH 29) as it is in hazardous condition. It had also sought response on matters like accidents caused by negligence in road maintenance, safety measures and pollution control by the concerned authority.
Now, according to the response received from the NHIDCL, the CPO stated that the contract works were awarded in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) mode and therefore the contractors are responsible for the maintenance of existing road, accidents caused due to negligence, with factors like vehicle conditions, vehicle load, driver’s riding factors etc.
The contractors are also expected to ensure safety measures during constructions and to the commuters and to maintain road in traffic worthy conditions (pollutions).
Completion of NH-29 behind schedule
The GM of NHIDCL also revealed that Package-I (i.e from KM 123.840 to KM 138.775) was scheduled to be completed by September 15, 2019 but only 57.24% (physical progress up to September 2019) has been completed.
Package-II (i.e from KM 138.775 to 152.490) was scheduled to be completed by August 2, 2019 but only 70.70% of the total work is completed.
Package-III which falls under Kohima district (i.e from KM 152.490 to 166.700) is scheduled to be completed by February 7, 2020 but only 55.95% is completed.
However, as proposed by the contractors as per revised work programme, the expected time of completion is April 2020, it added.
While acknowledging the reply from the GM on the information sought, though it took one month, the CPO has requested the concerned authority/contractors to go full throttle with the construction works and not to take the public for granted.
It also put on record that nature should not be blamed for the delay of the project which is causing untold hardship and miseries to the people since they should have all necessary machineries and manpower to meet and solve any exigency.
