R&B Minister Vikheho Swu makes inspections and promises
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 2
Dimapur will soon have three new bridges over the Chathe and Dhansiri rivers and Khopanullah stream respectively. These include the ongoing construction of a new bridge over Khopanullah stream at Shoxuvi, building an alternate bridge over Dhansiri River at Nagarjan (Kuda) near the Power sub-station and dismantling of the old bridge behind CIHSR and construction of a new one.
Nagaland State Minister for Roads & Bridges, Y Vikheho Swu, accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Chairman, NIDC, Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA, and officials from the PWD (Roads & Bridges) on Monday visited the sites of the three upcoming bridges.
At Shoxuvi, the Minister said the Khopanullah Bridge, funded by NABARD, should be completed by December this year as budget for the bridge has been set aside. Once completed, the bridge would boost inter-district connectivity between Dimapur and Peren.
The Minister also informed that budget for the two other bridges has already been sanctioned and once the tender process is completed, construction works would commence by this year.
Meantime, the Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) has been entrusted to immediately construct a ‘sub-way’ over the Chathe River adjacent to the old bridge behind CIHSR to provide an alternative route during the period the old bridge is being knocked down and a new bridge built over it.
During his visit to the old bridge at Nagarjan (Kuda), Swu suggested that the bridge built during the British time be preserved as a “heritage” and a new bridge constructed adjacent to the existing one.
The R&B Minister also inspected the ongoing construction of the Dobhinullah-Thahekhu Road and expressed satisfaction with the work progress. The contractor and builders informed the Minister that, weather permitting, the construction of the 2.5 km stretch using Germen technology would be completed by May end.
On the deplorable condition of the Nagarjan Road, Swu said the PWD(R&B) was presently undertaking patching and soiling works and assured that once the rainy season is over the road would be black topped. On the road stretch from Chakhesang Baptist Church to Khermahal, the Minister said the work was already allotted last year but that the contractor had abandoned it halfway. “Anyway, the Department will complete it this year,” he said. Swu further assured to cover other roads on priority basis.
Meanwhile, the Minister has appealed to the public to be patient and cooperate with the Department. “Give us time. With limited funds we cannot cover all roads. After the special category fund has been done away with, we are doing the best we can. Besides, we should not be blamed for past negligence,” he said.
Officials from the PWD (R&B) who accompanied the Minister including Chief Engineer (CE), Tali Aier; Additional CE, K Rhetso; EE Dimapur division, Huqheto and superintendent engineers Er. Limanaro and Er. Kahuto.
