DIMAPUR, JULY 5 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP), while sharing its grief over the tragic incident on July 4 at NH-29, has questioned the role of all the parties involved namely National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), construction firms / contractors, consultancy firm and the State Public Works Department (PWD).
The RPP in a press statement lamented that even though, many lives had been lost in the same stretch on numerous accidents, yet no corrective measures were adopted. It stated that the repetitive occurrence of accidents may be due to faulty construction method and poor maintenance of road that can be termed as a man-made disaster.
It pointed out that many civil society organizations had warned about the impending danger of accidents and had even send out several representations to the concerned authorities, but it had all fallen into deaf ear. The indifferent attitude of the concern authority to a genuine concern is uncalled for, it added.
Drawing comparison, the RPP stated that while the Dimapur –Kohima National Highway 29 has become “a death trap for the travelers,” Meghalaya with similar hilly terrains enjoys good road due to proper planning and execution.
With the completion of Dimapur-Kohima NH-29 still not in sight with dangers looming large with the exposed and unsettled rocks and multiple visible cracks on its layers above along the stretch, the RPP has demanded that the government of the day wakes up and take notice.
It meanwhile demanded that those responsible for the lapse of work should be investigated and booked as per relevant section of laws. And in order to prevent such disaster in the near future, the road condition should be reviewed and proper safety infrastructure must be set up.
The RPP will not shy away from seeking justice in the court to protect its citizens if concrete steps are not adopted by the government of the day. In the name of development, the safety of the people cannot be compromised, it stated.
