NHIDCL says 17 km completed but without bituminous carpeting
Morung Express news
Kohima | June 10
The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) stated that it will not be convinced by any verbal assurances from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) regarding the ongoing construction of the National Highway-2, Kohima-Mao stretch. According to the SAYO, the NHIDCL failing to come good on alleged assurances is not the first time.
Citing multiple failed assurances, it asked the NHIDCL to provide written assurance through the state government before June 14, as stated in its ultimatum served on May 29. It demanded that NHIDCL specify the timeframe for completion of the work as per contract specifications and the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The demand was made during a meeting between the NHIDCL and SAYO, chaired by the Secretary of the Works & Housing Department on June 7.
According to the June 7 meeting minutes, released by Arenla Jamir, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, the SAYO President expressed concerns over the slow progress of work, the quality of construction and the reasons for the delay in completing the road project.
Despite repeated assurances given by NHIDCL and the contractor, the President noted that the work progress on the ground was unsatisfactory.
NHIDCL, meanwhile, updated the status of the work, informing that out of the total length of 26 km, 17 km has been completed, leaving a balance of 9 km. The construction for the project started in 2020 and was scheduled to be completed by May 2024.
The contractor also claimed that Bituminous Carpeting (BC) has not been laid in the completed portion of the road (17 km), implying riding quality has not improved and which may be the reason for public complaints. However, the contractor assured that all such works would be executed to improve the riding quality and rectify all resurfaced potholes.
The State Government also pointed out that the Kohima-Mao Road is being treated as a priority. It maintained that the contractor consistently failed to meet deadlines
It also pointed out that the contractor could not adhere to the May 31, 2024, deadline set by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.
SAYO reiterated that it was not a first for the contractor/NHIDCL giving assurances, and citing previous lapses, held that it was not convinced of the contractor abiding by its new assurance.
Consequently, the SAYO president stated that an assurance in writing must be submitted to them through the state government. “Based on the written assurance, SAYO will consider further actions,” the meeting minutes read.
The State Government further stipulated that the NHIDCL and the contractor must submit a written assurance before the June 14 deadline set by the SAYO, while specifying the timeframe by which they will complete the work as per contract specifications and the DPR.
“The state government will forward the written assurance to SAYO for their consideration and further necessary action,” the meeting minutes added.
