Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 10
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today proposed to form a ‘Committee on Roads’ as the top priority and to prove the sincerity and commitment of the government towards working with the concerned department for bringing about better roads and connectivity at the earliest.
“The thickened layers of corruption in the state, built over decades, has become a vicious cycle and we will ensure that we stand on accountability with the support and change of mindset amongst citizens themselves too,” he said while addressing the ‘Colloquium on Road Connectivity’ held here at the State Banquet Hall.
He said it is the responsibility of the Government of the day to prepare concept papers and DPRs to get the sanction as per its vision document.
At the same time it is the responsibility of the people or land owners to support implementation of the project—to oversee that the projects are implemented as per specification according to the approved DPR and to complete projects as per agreement between the department and the firm (Contractor), he said.
“Therefore, in order for the NGOs and public to do this, transparency and accountability must be observed,” he said adding that the implementing agency should come out openly and give proper information as to which department is responsible for which road and which firm responsible for which portion of the road.
He said that good contractors will never hide their identity, but bogus firms/contractors won’t like to come out and disclose themselves, as their intention is not development but to make money.
The concept note of the ‘Colloquium on Road Connectivity’ stated that the state government aims to make Nagaland a nerve centre of connectivity to the rest of the South East Asian Countries and as part of the state government’s initiative towards building good roads, this colloquium, with the participation of concerned government departments, civil societies, NGOs and professionals, was organized to invite views, suggestions and evolve a workable strategy collectively.
After speeches by Minister for Roads & Bridges, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire; Minister for National Highways & Parliamentary Affairs, Kaito Aye and power point presentations from National Highways (PWD), NHIDCL, R& B, BRO and disaster management, a discussion hour took place, wherein several NGOs joined in.
PWD National Highway in its power point presentation stated that with the assurances of the state and the central governments, and with the active participation and co-operation of NGOs, civil societies, landowners and the public, there will be marked improvement in the mobility and efficiency of roads particularly the National Highways of the state.
The PWD (Roads & Bridges) meanwhile said that maximum damages to the roads have been caused during this year’s monsoon, including the collapse of the iron girder bridge over Chathe River, and damages to bridges and culverts in various divisions.
Several NGOs and concerned citizens expressed their views and suggestions and also registered unhappiness over non completion of several road projects, the pathetic condition and also poor maintenance of the existing roads. The Colloquium proposed certain resolutions as action plans in ensuring better road connectivity in Nagaland. It called for transparency, technology and accountability to ensure good quality road for Nagaland. It added that No Objection Certificates from land owners, villagers and community must be acquired to help expedite the construction of roads.
The colloquium also resolved that it was necessary to display project details with name of contractors, firms and schedule of completion on project site to ensure transparency.
It further called for proper drainage system and use right technology to sustain roads; and to make the Quality Control Board more proactive
Use social media in constructive was also discussed, wherein five agencies—the National Highways (PWD), NHIDCL, R& B, BRO and Disaster Management would open social medias, not only to disseminate information but also for better monitoring of the ongoing projects.
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