Neiba Kronu addressing the consultative meeting on October 3 at Pfutsero.
Our Correspondent
Pfutsero | October 4
The Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) conducted a consultative meeting with the district administration, law enforcement and implementing agencies and public leaders with regard to the Kohima- Jessami two-lane road project at Pfutsero on October 3.
The meeting endorsed resolutions adopted at the joint meeting with all the affected villages and towns on August 29 last at Pfutsero and resolved that uniformity of rate on compensation for damaged property would be maintained without any bias.
While cautioning that any manner of obstruction, by any village or town, to hamper the developmental activities would not be allowed, it also reaffirmed the CPO’s resolution number 4 taken on June 9 this year that prohibited ‘unauthorized’ individuals or group of individuals from approaching administrative authorities with grievances under the project, unless it is routed through its own village/town councils.
State Govt to ensure time bound completion: Kronu
Speaking at the meeting, Nagaland’s Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu said that while education, water supply and health are important factors of development, road connectivity and power sectors are paramount to move towards development and progress.
Kronu maintained that he approached the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for two-laning of Kohima-Jessami road, as it is the lifeline of Phek district.
He informed that the implementing agency is National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) Ltd.
Stating that villages through which the road is passing or touching should consider themselves as benefactors, Kronu said “we are all stakeholders and if we don’t cooperate it will be our own loss.”
He maintained that village councils are the sole authority of the respective villages, which is also recognized by the state government and therefore they should play the pivotal role of bringing together the landowners so that the development process is not hampered.
On the part of the Government, we will ensure that the road projects are completed in a time bound manner by the implementing agency without any disturbances, he added.
The Minister further requested the district administration, CPO, and the land survey committee to complete the verification process at the earliest.
Kronu also informed that several other road projects including Chozuba-Phek, Phek-Meluri, Lozaphuhu-Avankhu and Pfutsero-Tadubi road have also been approved.
While informing that the Nagaland portion of Pfutsero-Tadubi road has already been completed, the Minister requested his counterpart in Manipur to give effort to complete their side of the road.
Do not disturb works: CPO
Earlier, CPO president Mikha Kenye said the two-lane road construction project from Kohima to Jessami is dear and important to the people of Phek district.
“We cannot allow or tolerate any individual/groups with selfish motive to disturb the construction of the road,” said Kenye.
The CPO appeals to all sections of people to extend their fullest support and cooperation to the concerned authority and the construction firms and see that the project is not disturbed by any person, group, be it overground or underground, he said.
Kenye also urged the implementing agencies and contractors to ensure that the quality of work is not compromised but strictly executed as per the prescribed specification.
Welete Kapfo, co-convenor CPO sub-committee on Kohima–Jessami two-lane road said that the committee would also check quality work and also supervise for the successful implementation of the project.
Meanwhile, an NHIDCL official said that the Phek portion of 109.32 km Kohima-Jessami road up to Lanye has been subcontracted into five packages and the works would start once the compensations are cleared.
The time for completion of packages 1, 2 and 3 from Kohima to Mesulumi village is two years and 4 and 5 from Mesulumi to Lanye is 18 months, the official said.
Phek deputy commissioner Sachin Jaiswal, Phek superintendent of police Vesupra Kezo, former CPO president Sovenyi and Timikha Koza, Chakhesang Mothers’ Association president Zhonelü Tunyi, representatives from Chakhesang Youth Front, public leaders and representatives from stakeholder villages also spoke during the meeting.
