DIMAPUR, JULY 16 (MExN): Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi, while speaking in Parliament today, stressed on the need to ensure quality workmanship in the ongoing road projects in the state.
Participating in the budget discussion and voting on Demands for Grants on July 16, Yepthomi while lauding former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the four-lane road construction between Dimapur and Kohima, stated that quality of works in some places has been poor.
The work commenced 12 years after the commitment of the former Prime Minister in 2016 and a competition period of three years was given to the two contractors M/s RAMKY-ECI (JV) and M/s Gayatri Projects, the MP informed.
Yepthomi pointed out that in three of the four locations under RAMKY - ECI (JV) where blacktopping is already done there are potholes. He urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to look into the quality of the roads being constructed and ensure that the contractors follow the specifications of the Ministry.
The MP also urged the Union Minister for MoRTH to provide funds for maintenance of NH-702, which was previously a defense road. This road, he said was an important road connecting Phek and Mokochung Districts and the plight of the road was such that heavy vehicles could no more ply due to non maintenance. He suggested that instead of giving contractors a lump sum amount for maintenance of roads, the Ministry should provide funds according to the length of the road.
The MP also urged the Centre to improve the road leading from Kohima to the International Trade Center (ITC) at Avangkhu village under Meluri sub-division in keeping with the Look East Policy. The road from Myanmmar is nearing completion whereas the road in Nagaland leading to the Trade Centre has still not been taken up for improvement, he lamented.
