Long awaited Shozukhu-Zukiye bridge inaugurated

Morung Express News
Niuland | February 12

In a major relief to villagers living in Khaghaboto and Aghunaqa areas under the newly created Niuland district, a 2-lane RCC Bridge over Dhansiri River (tributary) at Shozukhu-Zukiye Village was inaugurated on Saturday.

Nagaland Minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi, who also represents Ghaspani 1 constituency under which the areas fall, formally inaugurated the 372-feet-long concrete bridge in the presence of villagers and a host of dignitaries including Advisor, Information Technology & Communications, NRE and Science & Technology, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Deputy Commissioner Niuland, Ajit Kumar Verma, and former MLA Hewoto Awomi. 

According to villagers, the bridge will prove to be a lifeline to more than 50 Western Sumi villages as these villages would now be directly connected to the commercial hub Dimapur.

The bridge would also act as a shortcut and better route to Dimapur for villagers living in Ralan areas in neighboring Wokha district. 

In his address, Jacob Zhimomi said the completion of the bridge has fulfilled a long awaited and cherished dream of the area people. He said the bridge was scheduled to be completed last year but got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Minister further sought the support and cooperation of the villagers in order to bring more development in the Khaghaboto and Aghanaqha areas. 

Advisor Mmhonlumo said the new bridge would be a blessing not only to people of Niuland district but also neighboring Wokha district, especially Ralan area. He reiterated that 'the road to development starts with development of road.' 

DC Niuland, Ajit Kumar said the bridge would prove crucial for development and progress of the new district. He also urged the villagers to take responsibility for the maintenance and smooth running of the bridge. 

Others who spoke on the occasion included former MLA Hewoto Awomi, head GB and president ATKK, Heshito Awomi and president BJP Khaghaboto unit, Kivito Awomi. 

GB Shitoi village, Shiwoto Chishi, chaired the inaugural program and head GB and president KTKK, Vikato K Achumi, proposed vote of thanks. 

Earlier, Pastor Bokaho Assumi, offered dedicatory prayer and Pastor Kaiho Zhimo pronounced benediction.

Known as Shozukhu-Zukiye bridge, the 2-lane RCC bridge, worth an estimated Rs 603.17 lakh at the time, was commissioned in 2006-07 and funded through the North Eastern Council’s NLCPR Scheme.

However, half way through the project, work on the 2-lane RCC Beam Bridge was stalled following a dispute between the construction firm M/S PABSCON and the government implementing agency PWD (Roads & Bridges) over alleged disparity in work quality and fund released.

This led to the Khaghaboto Area GBs Association (KTKK) issuing two press statements in April and May 2017 with the latter stating, “As stated by the association in the press statement of April 18, 2017 that it will resort to its own course of action for completion of the bridge in the event of failure by parties (construction firm and PWD) concerned, the KTKK, with the support of the public, has resolved to immediately initiate the resumption of construction works with its own resources” while urging the PWD to cooperate in the endeavour. (The Morung Express, October 22, 2019)

Thereafter, the association took it upon itself to raise funds to attempt completion of the bridge. Some Rs 80-90 lakh was crowd-sourced with which the association hired technical expertise to lay a deck on the north bank. One more deck was required to fill the gap.

In February 21, 2020, this newspaper again reported that construction of the bridge remained incomplete despite full utilization of sanctioned amount.

With regard to the financial wrangling between the department and the construction firm and the subsequent court case filed by the latter, a letter written by the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) to the Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing in July 2019, stated that the contractor requested the Department to “foreclose the contract amicably” in June 2019. The letter quoted the contractor as claiming that the work was suspended in 2010 “due to non availability of funds.” It also stated that the contractor would not raise any claims “if the work contract is foreclosed amicably.”

Based on the request from the contractor, it said that the department proposed foreclosure on “As is where is” basis and a detailed financial statement was prepared, according to which the balance due to the contractor was worked out to be Rs 49.28 lakh.

“The PWD (R&B) Dimapur Division shall be asked to prepare a detailed assessment/estimate, as per existing NPWD SOR, of the balance works required to be carried out to complete the project and the same shall be submitted to the government for approval and fresh fund allocation, since the sanctioned amount under the NLCPR scheme has been fully utilized,” the Chief Engineer’s letter had stated.