CWS Kiphire notes problems in OFC laying works

The CWS Kiphire today released pictures of OFC laying wherein the mud was dug out and put back into the drainage on NH 202. The Society cautioned against a manmade disaster if guidelines are not followed in such projects. (Photo Courtesy: CWS Kiphire)

The CWS Kiphire today released pictures of OFC laying wherein the mud was dug out and put back into the drainage on NH 202. The Society cautioned against a manmade disaster if guidelines are not followed in such projects. (Photo Courtesy: CWS Kiphire)

Kiphire, January 20 (MExN): The Citizens’ Welfare Society, Kiphire (CWS) has expressed worry at the way in which the National Highway 202 is being dug up to lay “JIO and Rartel underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).” 

“Just a 12 cm (1 feet) or may be some 18 cm (1 half feet) deep, on the upper side of the road” was being dug up, they stated, “by blocking/damaging all the drainage system on the stretch.”

While welcoming development activities in the district, the CWS Media Cell in a press release stated today that it visited the site and found that in some locations, there is inadequate width to lay out the OFCs which puts the people and fields below the highway roads at risk during the monsoon season. 

The CWS feared that if corrective measures are not taken at the earliest, the 2018 disaster due to natural calamities may repeat itself in the form of “manmade disaster.” 

The Society questioned the PWD (NH/R&B) why it has “allowed the company to block/damage the drainage system which is being looked after by the department?” Under what conditions/guidelines, they asked, are the contractors/companies concerned executing the work for laying the OFC and who will bear the responsibilities “if our life line is destroyed”?

“All these activities are going on right in front of the authority but the authority remains mute spectator,” it stated. 

If the department/contractor/company concerned fail to take corrective measures as per guidelines, the CWS, “for the brighter prospect of the district,” cautioned that it may “take up the matter for intervention before the ongoing works costs our life line.” 

The CWS also warned that “if any accident/mishap happened on the route due to the negligence of the concern department, they shall hold full responsibility for the same.”