Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 25
A daunting task awaits the Nagaland PWD as it races against time to meet the PDA Government’s 100 days promise of ‘change is coming’ agenda. As the PWD, Nagaland with its Rs 25 crore out of the 50 crore fund sanctioned for improving the roads in Nagaland state, a plethora of challenges confronting the department as it races against time, burdened with lack of manpower, materials, machinery and also the impending advancing monsoon rains ahead.
But the morale of the PWD Nagaland officials is high, who have been given the contract for the road repair works, more so with the visits of the PWD Minister and the responsibility entrusted by him.
PWD Minister, Tongpang Ozukum arrived at Mokokchung, after a hectic personal on-spot assessment of the PWD works at Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha and Mokokchung.
He has his own apprehensions – despite his satisfaction at the ongoing works – the rains.
“Almost sixty days is passed, and our works were hampered because of the rains during the past days. The rain has stopped now, and we hope that the road repair work will continue unhindered,” said the Minister while speaking to media persons who accompanied him during his inspection and assessment tour.
The Minister was given an elaborate tour by the PWD, Mokokchung Division officials around important stretch of roads in Tongdentsuyong Ward, Aongza Ward, Sungkomen, Alempang and Dilong Wards. Residents of the wards interacted with the PWD Minister, Tongpang Ozukum and also pointed out key areas where immediate repair – about constructing a retaining wall or a drain – was highlighted. But the rains are just one hurdle. Traffic is another, since a lot of the repair works are in urban areas.
A PWD official who tagged along the Minister’s entourage said: “One of the biggest hurdles we face while repairing the road is the heavy traffic. The traffic personnel cannot manage the vehicular travel simultaneously in all the areas; therefore, we are very happy to the ward councils for their cooperation.”
Ozukum corroborated the official’s view by stating: “It’s obvious to see; even we as layman can see that those areas where there is heavy traffic, the road repair is not that satisfactory, while those areas where the traffic is less, the roads are repaired more satisfactorily.”
The Minister meanwhile acknowledged the cooperation extended by citizens towards the road works, and informed that he would also be visiting Tuensang and other districts for firsthand inspection.
Despite the high morale, the task of the PWD, Nagaland officials might just be beginning. A top PWD Official, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “it is after many, many years that the PWD Nagaland has given contract to the department.”
The department still faces major challenges due to outdated machinery, lack of manpower and the forces of nature. Department officials are nonetheless optimistic as they especially acknowledged the Minister taking laborious on-spot inspection and interacting with officials and workers.
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