CPO committee on 2–lane road files PIL for victims of damaged properties

Members of CPO Committee on 2–lane road during press conference at Hotel Japfü Kohima on January 30. (Morung Photo) 
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 30

In pursuant of a resolution adopted by Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) last year 'to pursue damage compensation for those whose properties were damaged by M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) during construction of 2 laning road during 2011, the CPO has filed a PIL in Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench seeking justice on behalf of the poor and helpless victims in Nagaland in general and Phek district in particular. 

Addressing a press conference here today at Hotel Japfü, Vaprumu Demo, convener & petitioner of PIL, CPO Committee on 2-Lane Road informed that the mentioned case No. PIL 9/2019 was moved by Angshuman Sarma, learned counsel for CPO and instantly the Court admitted the petition as a fit case on January 16, 2020, thereon notice was issued to all respondents returnable within 6 weeks and the matter listed for hearing on February 27, 2020.

In the presence of other Committee members Zachilhu Vadeo, Besupra Swuro, Nuzota Swuro, Vezuhu Keyho and Veduvo Rhakho,  Demo told media persons that by the end of 2010, M/S Maytas-Gayatri (JV) was awarded the work of 2 laning of Longleng-Changtonya Road, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong Road, Phek-Pfutsero Road and Zunheboto-Chakhabama Road under SARDP-NE (Phase A) for an amount of Rs.1296/- crores.

Stating that by 2011, the work started by the contractor under direct supervision of PWD (NH), Nagaland, he said “But the joy of people over forthcoming 2 laning roads soon turned into nightmare. From day one the contractor, in total disregard of contractual agreement (on designated dumping areas) and public objection rampantly cut the earth of the steep hills and pushed down all excavated soil, rocks and debits on valley side. This inevitably caused huge avalanche like situation and massive valued land and properties of the poor and marginalized villagers were destroyed beyond recovery.”  

He said that reckless construction by contractor and total negligence of supervision by implementing authority brought needless displacement of many human habitations and permanent destruction of massive cultivated and cultivable land above and much worse below the road running down to 8 km, thereby turning vast stretch of habited and agricultural land into landslide zone and dumping ground.

Demo said countless of families were deprived of livelihood and many migrated elsewhere, adding that many children abandoned their education and many are pitifully depending on BPL rice or charity alone for survival till date.

“Several precious lives were lost and many other suffered due to accident or road blockage while travelling though this dilapidated and dangerous highway,” he said adding that all those happened right under the nose and silence of state government and central government alike with the only narration that people suffering on account of 2 laning road constructions “need not worry since adequate compensation will be eventually paid to each and every aggrieved member.”

Demo said the road project was abandoned midway due to impasse between M/S Maytas-Gaytris (JV) and GOI over price escalation and this created more problem than solution to the victims.

“Such abandonment resulted in leaving massive amounts of spoils consisting of mud, stones and other debris unattended by the contractor allowing it to flow down during monsoon causing immense devastation to forests, terrace fields, irrigation projects, crops and building properties situated downhill. 

However in response to widespread public protest, state government notified all affected districts on 27/02/17 and accordingly respective district administration with concerned departments and local bodies conducted joint spot-verification and damages caused were quantified and amount of compensation against each person was determined,” he said.

Demo said total amount of compensation claimed by state government stands at Rs. 120,99,81,755/- for the state as a whole and Rs 55,12,66,695.34/- for Zunheboto-Chakhabama Road (under Phek district) & Rs.5,81,69,989.70/- for Phek-Pfutsero Road in particular.

“But for reason best known to authorities concerned the outstanding compensation have not been released till date,” he said.

Thanking the Supreme Court's intervention, he said the abandoned road was revived and the work allotted to NHIDCL with specific timeframe for completion.

“But on other side, the victim community and village authorities were determined not to allow resumption of 2 laning road till outstanding damaged compensation were paid to the victims. For nearly 10 years, the victims have waited patiently for their compensation with fading hope each day and they were getting restive over false hope being fed by authorities concerned,” he said.

 “It was in this looming instance that CPO intervened by appointing a committee on 2 lane road which went to task and subsequently reached understanding with aggrieved community so as to plea court intervention for their pending rights and justice. Justice delayed is justice denied; therefore CPO is determined to go to the last till justice is delivered to the victims by Hon'ble Court,” he said.