Kohima, November 11 (MExN): Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang on Wednesday demanded that the NHIDCL clarify its position on why punitive action has not been initiated against M/s ECI Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd and M/s Gayatri Projects Ltd, for the delay in completing Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane road construction works.
Zeliang highlighted the progress of work in a press release dated November 10, stating that the Dimapur-Kohima Highway is turning from “bad to worse visibly due to the 4-lane road construction works.”
“Despite this stark reality, no concrete measures have been initiated by the two construction Firms M/s ECI Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. and M/s Gayatri Projects Ltd. to ease the enormous hardship being faced by commuters on a daily basis even as both the State Government and NHIDCL continue to remain mute spectators,” he added.
As per the Contract Agreement, Zeliang said that the two firms are contractually bound to maintain at its own cost the existing 2-lane of the Highway during the construction period.
However, he observed that the same has been overlooked and “large muddy puddles coupled with landslides and rock-falling occurs during summer and dense dust pollution during winter.”
Stating that no tangible results have emerged despite writing to the NHIDCL about the grievances of the general public in the past, Zeliang said that the two firms have failed to comply with the Contract Agreement, “despite the presence of sanction provision for maintenance of the existing 2-lane road.”
“Given the present condition of the Dimapur-Kohima Highway, NHIDCL must immediately direct the Contractors to take up maintenance work as per the Contract Agreement or otherwise lease out such works to local Contractors so that the matter is addressed accordingly,” he asserted.
Zeliang further stated that during the tenure of DAN-III Government, both the firms had initially agreed to complete the 4-lane construction within 3 years i.e. 2017-18, 18-19 & 2019-20 and likewise, 3% bonus was committed by NHIDCL in the event the two Firms complete the work before schedule.
Assurance was given by the two firms that they would complete the works before the specified period as per the Agreement and on completion of the 4-lane road, the two firms would maintain the road for 4 years as per Sanction Order and Contract Agreement, he added.
“Since then, 3 years have lapsed and there is no sign of completing the work even in 2021. Today, not only is the construction work far from completion but the same has been causing immense difficulty to the general public,” Zeliang stated.
Further stating that clearly visible formation of large-scale potholes and sinkage are taking place on several portions of the newly constructed road, Zeliang called for immediate investigation by NHIDCL on whether contractors are taking up works as per specification including use of certified quality stone-gravels.
He also said that land compensations have been cleared and as such, the pace at which the work is progressing calls for urgent attention and demanded that the NHIDCL clarify its position in the local dailies on the matters raised above along with details of Agreement period and reasons as to why punitive action has not been initiated against the firms.
“Since the State Government has the least concern on the hardships faced by commuters in the State, the Governor and the High Court had to intervene. However, the Contractors under the control of NHIDCL have failed to adhere to such pressure from the highest office of the State including the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench,” the Opposition leader stated.
If NHIDCL fails to pull up its socks, the Opposition Party will be compelled to move for investigation by the CBI because the people of the State should no longer suffer due to the fault of the implementing agency and appointed contractors, he added.
