TR Zeliang and Salhoutuonuo Kruse inspects Dzüdza landslide area on August 28. (Morung Photo)
NHIDCL assures road opening by August 29 afternoon
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 28
Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang along with Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse today inspected the landslide area near Dzüdza bridge on NH-29, and urged NHIDCL and contractors to stick to the 72 hours timeline set by the state government for clearing of debris and opening of road to the public.
Interacting with the NHIDCL officials, contractors and Western Angami Public Organization (WAPO) leaders at the mudslide site, Zeliang said he cannot blame anyone for the natural calamity and the hardship faced by commuters due to prolonged road blockade. He, however, expressed “deep concern with the way the problem is being handled lackadaisically by the implementing agency and contractors causing inordinate delayed in clearing of debris and timely opening of road.”
Zeliang said that the problem created by natural calamity could have being tackled in a far better way and the inconvenience of the masses could have been mitigated, had the NHIDCL and contractors heeded to the instructions and suggestions rendered during the quarterly monsoon preparedness meeting but the later had totally failed to abide by the resolutions adopted during meeting.
He also said that the problem was aggravated due to the cessation of restoration arising out of the misunderstanding between the NHIDCL and the contractors.
Moreover, required machineries and manpower were not deployed by the concerned contractor at the mudslide zone for timely clearance of the mucks, Zeliang said, which is causing unnecessary delay. The Deputy CM also said that the concerned contractor should not take advantage of the situation and make any excuses in such kind of situation when people are suffering.
The duty of the contractors is to execute the work as per the agreed term efficiently by deploying maximum machineries and manpower and timely opening of the road in the interest of the public without making any excuses, he said. Zeliang told NHIDCL to serve notice to the contractor if the later continue to ceased work.
The Deputy CM also urged upon the NHIDCL to use upgraded technology and modern engineering in a place like Nagaland where mudslides is a common problem and prepared in advance for any eventualities in future.
He also directed Deputy Commissioner Kohima to call frequent coordination meeting for smooth execution of the works. The NHIDCL has assured that the road will be opened by Thursday (August 29) afternoon, according to Media Cell, Deputy Chief Minister.
