Dimapur, May 31 (MExN): The Concerned Citizens of Nagaland (CCN), while acknowledging the State R&B Minister for his kind response to the Campaign for Good Roads, reiterated that the campaign was not against any individual, minister, party or the government, but was a collective appeal to all the collective authorities for the basic amenity which was overdue to the citizens of Nagaland. The Campaign for Good Roads was carried out on May 14 in Dimapur and other districts of Nagaland under the slogan, "Good Roads, Citizens' Right".
The campaign for good roads was an expression of serious concern by the public, it stated, adding there are growing evidences that roads in Nagaland with full of potholes and ponds is resulting in anger and dismay among the general public.
Stating that good quality roads and proper drainage cannot be compromised on the excuse of paucity of funds, the CCN in a rejoinder to the Minister appealed that the voice of the suffering citizens be placed as priority and necessity that needs urgent attention from the Centre as well.
CCN further mentioned that the road contractors are left with much less of the actual amount of contract budget because of "ugly corrupt practices in the form of commissions, departmental deductions, NPGs tax, etc. leaving the contractor to compromise on workmanship." In this, it questioned, "Why can't these deductions and commissions be stopped so that proper quality roads can be constructed. Bad roads affects all at the expense of the few benefactors."
It also called upon the departments which oversee roads to strictly supervise the works of telecom companies, PHED etc and impose proper measures and remedies to avoid hindrance in deliverance of good roads. CCN appealed to the telecom companies and PHED to adhere to the norms and work judiciously so as not to cause hindrance during and after digging to install wires and pipes underground as "good road is equally a necessity as communication is."
Regarding comment on roads being made by different departments/ agencies, CCN clarified it is neither suitable nor needed that different road campaigns be held for different departments or agencies, "hence, a collective campaign for the collective departments were made in a collective manner." It requested all the authorities concerned of the different departments to take into consideration the appeal of the citizens and put into work its dynamic and quality workmanship for the people "as the citizens of Nagaland has for the past decades lost the sense and sight of having the luxury of good roads." The CCN assured to render support and co-operation towards the R&B Minister and the departments as and when needed in its pursuit to deliver good roads to the deserving people of Nagaland.
