2021 should be declared ‘Year of Drainage’: Kikheto

APC, Y Kikheto Sema holds meeting with agri & allied departments in Wokha district on September 19. (Morung Photo)

APC, Y Kikheto Sema holds meeting with agri & allied departments in Wokha district on September 19. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Wokha | September 20

Observing that many of the roads in the state were lacking proper drainage and inadequate culverts leading to quicker deterioration of road conditions, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, opined that 2021 should be declared as the ‘Year of Drainage’ making a particular reference to the Roads & Bridges Department.

Kikheto made the remark during a meeting with officials of agriculture and allied departments as well as senior officials of the R&B Department at Hammock Resort, Wokha on September 19. Kikheto’s observation emanated from his tour across various districts inspecting and monitoring projects sanctioned by the North East Council (NEC).

He noted that departments like the R&B and Housing have the maximum number of work-charge employees and the strength could be effectively utilized for clearance of roadside jungles and maintenance of existing drainage.

From his own experience, Kikheto also cited instances where the detailed project reports (DPR) for roads in the state were being prepared by those in Delhi without even seeing the road here. “We have enough technical expertise in our state and we let others who have not even seen our roads prepare DPRs and for example the actual work may stretch to 40 km but the DPR says 20km. The public will demand that works be executed as per the DPR but how can contractors cover the excess kilometres?” he questioned, while adding that this was one of the reasons why quality of works are compromised.

Kikheto also called for the technical staff of the concerned department to do regular and strict field inspections while constructing roads, to ensure that works are being carried out as per specifications.

Barring poor drainage and minimal culverts at state owned roads, Kikheto expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing works at NEC roads inspected so far.

He also supported the decision of the government to strictly check overloading by heavy vehicles for longevity of the road.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the APC also expressed delight to learn from the District Agriculture Officer, Wokha that the district was producing more than required as far as fruits and vegetables were concerned. Production for paddy is also being worked out to meet the requirements, the official added.

Kikheto said Wokha district has been rightly tagged as the ‘Land of Plenty’ and added that it could even cater to the needs of other districts once the road condition gets better. Stating that banana produced in the district was one of the best, the APC called for improving its cultivation and packaging as well.