Wokha- Merapani Highway issue: DC Wokha convenes consultative meeting

Dimapur, April 24 (MExN): In an effort to discuss the various aspects of the ongoing Rehabilitation and Upgradation project of the Wokha- Merapani Highway, the Deputy Commissioner of Wokha Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon convened a meeting on April 23.  

The consultative meeting, among others, attended by Wokha District Administration, NHIDCL, contractor M/S CS Infraconstruction Limited and Lotha organizations, came against the backdrop of an ultimatum served to the contractor/NIHDCL on April 16.  

The Lotha organisations, alleging that the contractor was not complying with the technical specification in the execution of the contract work of the Wokha- Merapani Highway project, had set April 30 as deadline for course correction.  

Among others, the beneficiary organizations demanded that the contractor should start all widening works by April 30 and halt all other works.  

A press release issued by Lotha Hoho General Secretary, Er. Mhondamo Ovung and Vice Chairman S Mhonlumo Lotha informed that the “exhaustive consultations and discussion” meeting on April 20 dwelt upon various aspects of the ongoing highway project.  

During the meeting, the General Manager, NHIDCL Tezpur, clarified that there is no sub contract for the project and that so far no Running bill has been paid to the contractor, the release said.  

The GM further assured the Lotha oganisations and the District Administration that the contractor will comply with the technical specifications of the project, it added. “The works of Earmarking of the Right of Way (ROW) will be made by the NHIDCL and CS Infra with the help of the Lotha organizations, for speedy implementation of the road project.”  

According to the release, it includes widening, strengthening and upgradation to a two-lane highway, with runway of 7 meters (23 feet) for plain terrain and 5.50 meters (18 feet) for hilly terrain as per specifications of the DPR.  

With this, the total width of formation (total width including side shoulders and drain) is 10.35 m (34 feet) for plain terrain and 8.85 m (29 feet) for hilly terrain, it added.   It further informed that the NHIDCL GM directed the contractor to follow the DPR specifications, failing which the work order will be cancelled.  

Any work item to be sublet to sub contractor is subject to approval of the NHIDCL, the GM further clarified. While appreciating the efforts of the DC for bringing the NHIDCL and the contractor, for interaction with the beneficiary community, the Lotha organizations, at the meeting, expressed dismay in the insincerity of the NHIDCL and non compliance to technical specifications by the contractor.  

“The Lotha organizations made it amply clear that since such a major project will come only once, there can be no compromise to either workmanship or specifications,” the release said.  

Accordingly, upon clarification, the organizations also assured the NHIDCL and the contractor that the Lotha Hoho will help “mitigate” any local problem concerning the project.  

It further clarified to all that no harassment or extortion by any individual or group will be allowed and they will “fully co operate with the agency and the contractor,” it informed.  

The Lotha organizations also made it clear that any personnel involved in the project works will have to authenticate his/her identity as per ultimatum given earlier on April 16, it added. “Hence any unidentified person will not be allowed to involve in the project works.”