DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 21 (MExN): With the indefinite closure of National Highway 29 between Chümoukedima town and New Chümoukedima entering Day 18, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) said the people of Nagaland are facing the dire consequences of the government’s inadequate preparedness and lack of urgency.
Criticizing the government’s lack of preparedness and urgency in addressing the situation, the RPP stated on Saturday that despite repeated assurances from Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who visited the site shortly after the landslide and pledged swift action to restore the road, little to no progress has been made especially at the Pagala Pahar stretch.
Citing sources, the RPP claimed that on the 3-4 km stretch of Pagala Pahar, at least 8 different firms are working to restore the road but alarmingly, only a handful of laborers are visible at the site, and barely 3-4 excavators are in operation—this all-the-while when the citizens thinks NHIDCL is working day and night on a war footing adequately supervised by the PWD (NH).
The RPP also warned that if 40 meters of the Pagala Pahar mountainside is to be demolished for road widening, travelers will have to rely on the dangerous Chümoukedima-New Chümoukedima by-pass road for the next one to two years.
It, meanwhile, urged all officials, including the Governor, Chief Minister, and Ministers, to use the ‘very risky’ by-pass road like ordinary citizens, insisting that the Dimapur traffic police enforce uniform traffic rules for everyone. Taking the by-pass road does not breach the security environment and even the Governor and Chief Minister should not be spared, it stated.
In addition, the RPP requested the General Officer Commanding of 3 Corps Rangapahar to provide bulldozers to assist the state PWD and NHIDCL in clearing mud debris from a significant mudslide at Zubza. The road is reportedly sinking under the weight of the mud, and without prompt action, Kohima may soon be cut off, it apprehended.
The RPP also reminded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of his 2018 commitment to construct quality roads within a year.
