KOHIMA, OCTOBER 28 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today asked the contractors and departmental officials to provide good quality roads to the people.
Holding a review meeting on the progress of the 4-laning of Dimapur-Kohima National Highway with the contractors, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation and officials of the departments of National Highways and Roads & Bridges this afternoon, he said the people not only want the project to be completed on time but also that the work should be of high quality.
“This is the first 4-lane project in the State and all eyes are on you,” he told the representatives of the contractors, the ECI and the Gayatri-Maytas firms, according to a press note from the CMO.
The firms meanwhile said their priority is to complete the works before the stipulated time and at the same time, not to adversely affect the smooth flow of the traffic while the works are in progress.
However, they expressed apprehension that in the process of executing the works there may come a time when only one-lane road can be made available for traffic and sought cooperation from the government in regulating the flow of traffic.
Also in rocky portions where blasting has to be carried out with dynamite, the firms said traffic might have to be stopped completely for more than thirty minutes or more at a time for safety reasons. The CM assured full cooperation so that the works are not hindered or delayed.
The CM also enquired from the NHIDCL about the condition of the National Highway 129 between Maram (Manipur) and Peren and suggested that if Manipur-bound vehicles can take the diversion from Jharnapani to Peren and then on to Maram, the number of vehicles between Dimapur and Kohima would be reduced. He also directed officials of the R&B and National Highways to check the condition of the Dimapur-Niuland- Zhadima Highway and carry out necessary improvements so that an alternative route can be provided to vehicles. The CM further asked the BRO to expedite completion of the Botsa- Bokajan Highway.
He meanwhile lamented the poor condition of roads in Kohima and Dimapur and directed the departments of R&B and National Highways, as well as the BRO to immediately repair and improve the stretches falling in their jurisdictions.
“I want that repairs, filling up of potholes and blacktopping wherever necessary should be carried out without any delay,” the CM directed.
The firms undertaking the 4-laning works informed that jungle clearing along the route has already started and that by the second week of November the required machineries would reach the work sites and work would start and continue almost 24/7.
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