Work underway to construct drainage as part of the road improvement project in one section of the road starting from the PWD Rest House to Viola colony via Unity College on February 16, Dimapur.
Public committee(s) for aiding road construction in Dimapur
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 16
Quality control rarely applies when it comes to road construction in Nagaland. Newly tarred roads wearing off or literally coming off no sooner than getting the ‘completion certificate’ would testify to the level of seriousness allotted to the concept of checks and balances here.
With works currently afoot to patch up roads within the Dimapur urban sprawl, greater vigilance of the citizenry is being sought for ensuring quality of the works undertaken.
The NDPP’s Supu Jamir, who unsuccessfully contested from 2 Dimapur II Assembly Constituency in the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections 2018, has called for proactive coordination between the department, contractor(s) and the public for keeping track of road projects.
A meeting was held at Landmark colony, Dimapur on February 16 wherein Jamir addressed council members of Landmark, Lotha, Kyong and Residency colonies under DMC Ward 13. The meeting had also in attendance officials from the PWD (Roads & Bridges) and the contractor/builder, who is undertaking a road improvement project falling under the four colonies.
The road in question – PWD junction to Lotha colony via Unity College - was one among a number of works announced by the government under the ‘Improvement of Dimapur City Roads’ plan in 2018. The PWD (Roads & Bridges) floated advertisement in September 2018 inviting bids to take up the projects. 12 months was the stipulated timeframe to complete the works.
“Ensure that quality work is maintained at all cost and the works completed within the stipulated timeframe,” said Jamir at the meeting, while urging the contractor/firm (Multi Builders) to finish the works “as per the specifications.”
He also appealed the department to up vigilance and ensuring the work specifications are followed.
The said project has a cost estimate of Rs. 2.17cr and involves black-topping a 1.55km stretch along with drainage starting from the PWD Rest House upto Viola colony via Unity College. He informed that the groundwork started in January and currently drainage construction is underway. The drainage work would likely be completed by the end of February and black-topping by March-end.
One Department official expressed “satisfaction” at the work completed so far, while adding that the work package comes with an additional responsibility of maintenance of the said road by the contractor/firm for a period of three years.
As for the councils of the four colonies in concern, it was informed that a committee will be set up comprising council members to monitor the construction of the road as well as for coordinating with the Department and the contractor.
“We urged the contractor and the Department to freely approach us in the event of unwanted interference that would affect the project,” one of the colony council members said.
It was further informed that a public committee similar in nature and concept has also been formed to aid the construction of the Khermahal-Tajen Ao Road via Neisatuo colony, LRC colony and Notun Basti.
