DIMAPUR, MAY 1 (MExN): Chief Engineer of Project Sewak, Brigadier BD Pandey, today said signing of agreements with individual landowners in Nagaland serves as an impediment to the development of roads. Project Sewak is one of the 13 projects in the Border Roads Organisation.
Another related hindrance is the allocation of stone quarries where similar agreements have to be made. Accords are not signed directly with the government, thus causing a slur in the development process, Pandey said. Such a situation is serving as a drawback in the implementation of the four-lane highway which is yet to take off, he agreed.
The Sena Medal recipient, however, said some landowners had encouraged their activities by being cooperative. While outlining the many activities of building and maintenance of roads carried out by the project, he also highlighted some of their problems such as the security problem, prolonged monsoons and interference from locals.
He also lamented over the absence of efficient outside contractors who can execute functions more professionally. The limitation of local resources was also touched upon. A stark difference which the project in particular and the BRO in general enjoy is the manner of its functioning as compared to state agencies such as the Public Works Department. While governments of states take into consideration the services of contractors, the departmentalization of Sewak makes work more accountable and transparent, it was informed. Contractors’ services are called for only on certain occasions. Latest methods of strengthening the quality of roads is also being mooted and undertaken. As the BRO is only an implementing agency which requires funds from outside, the active sponsorship of the North Eastern Council and the Department of the North East Region is further seen as an aspect which could help develop rural roads.
A revelation made by Brigadier Pandey was that they had engaged and sponsored experts from the Centre to study and determine landslide effects and the anecdotes to destruction by such landslides prevalent in the area they are concerned with. A report is awaited in this regard. Further, it was said the project looks to it that the welfare of their many labourers are sincerely looked into.
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