Dimapur, August 9 (MExN): The Border Roads Organization today issued a response over matter pertaining to roads and their conditions, and what action the road construction agency is taking in Phek. The BRO also cited the reasons the bridge over Sidzu collapsed.
The BRO had attracted criticism and allegations of ‘poor workmanship’ from sections of the state, including from the deputy chairman of the State Planning Board, Neiba Kronu. Kronu had also demanded ‘improvement’ of National Highway 150 recently.
The BRO in a note today said the bridge over Sidzu, collapsed primarily due to “excessive scouring of river bed during flash floods” which resulted in the failure of the supporting structure. “The preliminary finding of technical committee has confirmed that there is no case of poor workmanship including use of inferior construction material. Presently the bridge side is being cleared and construction of new bridge is being planned,” the BRO authorities clarified.
Pertaining to National Highway 150, the BRO said it is being continuously maintained and improved upon while a number of works have been carried out. “Last year the major works carried out on NH-150 included 14 kilometers of resurfacing, construction of side drains in Chizami and construction of a number of protective works. This year also 18 kilometers of resurfacing, construction of side drain at RD Block Kikruma and construction of protective works have been planned,” the BRO said.
The planned works are scheduled to commence after the monsoons.
In addition, the BRO said, improvement works on internal roads in Pfutsero is already underway. Here, the BRO said that due to side drains being blocked, dumping construction materials along road sides and movement of overloaded vehicles the road surfaces are being damaged which otherwise are repaired on a regular basis. “Our repeated requests on these matters are not being heard leading to premature damage of the road surface,” the BRO said while assuring that it had always endeavored to maintain optimum quality of work on all roads.
“It is once again reiterated that BRO is always committed to its foremost requirement of ensuring high quality roads in Nagaland,” it added.
