Z Lohe
The people of Nagaland are thankful to the GoI for cent percent funding of the Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane road. The Dimapur- Kohima 4-Lane road is the first of such category of road being undertaken in the State of Nagaland by the Ministry of Surface Road Transport, GoI. The construction of this road started 2016 with the time duration of 3 years within which the project is to be completed. Whereas, the contractor for the stretch from Purana Bazar, Dimapur to Patkai Bridge managed to complete the Cement Concrete carpeting within, perhaps, the time schedule. Yet, on this stretch too, side drain at certain spot has been left unconstructed. It is never a surprise for such negligence in Nagaland. However, why the local authorities have become so insensitive to such impediments to proper development?
Whereas, it is painful to observe the kind of quality workmanship of the ongoing development of the total distance of the road apart from Dimapur-Chümoukedima sector. It is my layman’s understanding that at no portion the final coating of the asphalt for carpeting is being given, and yet it is obvious that the quality construction is so poor. Whoever travels by this road observes that the preliminary carpeting is easily peeled off, cracks developed and deep potholes become the regular feature of the 4-Lane road within no time of the completion of those basic works. The freshly improved lane pairing with the fast dilapidated lane and the deterioration without improvement and progress are found very disappointing. By layman’s knowledge, the basic cause of inferior workmanship is due to haphazard and poor soiling and metalling in complete contravention to the given specifications. It is very obvious that the laid down specifications for quality construction have been compromised due to which the aforementioned defects are caused.
Can any concern authority or any contractor deny compromise in the quality workmanship? Who is the nodal authority in officially or manipulatively allowing the contractors to compromise the quality workmanship in all the items? Why has the Government of Nagaland been remaining dormant, insensitive, lethargic and silent spectator to all these illegal activities of the contractors? Is the State Government trying to transform this 4-lane road project into another Kohima High Court or Kohima Medical College? Who, the elected member, will raise these vital issues in the public interest under the opposition-less Government? What the nodal authorities as NHIDCL and the State PWD in particular are doing in monitoring the quality workmanship and the timely completion of the project? The construction of this road is in its 5th year against the 3 year time schedule if my information is right. Look at the progress and look at the quality control which is painful and pathetic. To me the whole stretch from Patkai junction to Jotsoma Bypass has the deserted look due to abandonment and lack of progress.
Is there any responsible and honest organization worth its name today in Nagaland? Is there such an organization having genuine concern for the common interest and for the posterity on behalf of the people? There seems to be none. There is none who has concern for the downtrodden and the common man. What one bothers about is self.
The 4-lane Dimapur-Kohima road is so vital to the State of Nagaland. If the kind of such third-class and inferior quality 4-Lane road of Dimapur-Kohima as of today is to be handed over to Nagaland, it will hardly last for a year, and such will be the greatest betrayal of the public.
