DIMAPUR, JULY 20 (MExN): The Kuda Village Council (KVC) held an emergency meeting today and demanded that the state government should immediately look into the matter as to why work was not taken up for major overhaul of the bridge.
It further questioned as to why works did not begin for a new bridge “as per Government assurance with a sanctioned amount of Rs. 37.95 Crores even after allotment of Work Order issued in June 2016.” A press note from the KVC demanded that the government “immediately come out publicly as to who is responsible for this neglect thereby leading to this massive inconvenience.”
It cited how a member of the Kuda Village, Savi Liegise, had apprised three successive R&B Ministers on the condition of the bridge along with photographs on the eroding footing and foundation piers of the bridge and requested for immediate restoration.
The KVC stated that in 2010, Liegise apprised the then R&B Minister Kaito Aye along with photographs on the eroding footing and foundation piers of the bridge and requested for immediate restoration. No work followed however, it said. Later in 2013, Liegise submitted a representation to then R&B Minister Kuzholezo Nienu along with a fresh set of photographs of its weakening foundations. The KVC said that Nienu “took up the matter and processed for construction of a new bridge. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was relieved of the portfolio.”
On June 7, 2016, Liegise once again submitted a fresh representation to present R&B Minister Vikheho Swu, along with the same photos supplied 3 years earlier. The Minister, it said, assured to look into the matter.
The KVC informed that former R&B Minister Kuzholuzo Nienu had processed a project report of a new bridge and strengthening of the old one. Further, it informed that current R&B Minister, Vikheho Swu had spoken to Liegise on May 2, 2017 and apprised him of the plan to start works for the bridge with a project cost of Rs. 37 Crores very soon. That was the last we heard of the progress of the bridge, it added. Pending restoration of this bridge, the KVC demanded that the government immediately start construction of a hanging bridge to mitigate the suffering of the public within a period of 15 days w.e.f. today, “failing which the Village shall take its own course of action for which we shall not be held responsible.” Acknowledging that construction of both new bridge or a relief hanging bridge will consume a considerable period of time, the KVC said that in the intervening period, the village “shall by itself or by entrusting individual members, initiate alternative communication means to cross the river under strict safety measures to alleviate the suffering of the public especially school-going students and members in need of medical attention.”
