Kohima, October 22 (MExN): As of today, there is no local hindrance in the entire stretch of the ongoing road construction project of Kohima-Mao National Highway (NH-2), the Contractor of the NHIDCL road project informed on October 22.
A press release on behalf of the Contractor (M/s Fortune Group) informed that a joint verification was carried out by the Kohima District Administration the presence of the Revenue Officer, Kohima along with Chairman and members of Viswema Village Council, Authority's Engineer, NHIDCL representatives and Contractor's Project Manager.
The inspection was conducted on October 21 to review the status of maintenance works at Kohima-Mao Road stretch as well as resolving the hindrances to progress of the construction, it added.
All the hindrances which were mentioned in the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench’s order on October 17 including the issue of HP petrol pump owner; the stone quarry, Jakhama Village; and for construction of 2 culverts and elevation of 300 metre of the road stretch; and also the construction of new culvert in Tepul Colony, Viswema Village were “attended, resolved and clarified,” the release said,
Accordingly, the same was earlier submitted to the court on October 19, it said adding: “As of today there is no local hindrance in the entire stretch of Kohima-Mao NH (2).”
The Contractor further stated it is “fully mobilised and has started work earnestly” with the stoppage of incessant rainfalls due to the withdrawal of the Southwest monsoons in the region.
The Contractor further acknowledged all the cooperation and assistance for the completion of the project in time that has been extended by all the stakeholders and frontal organisations of the region including the concerned Villages, Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) and Southern Angami Youth Organisation, landowners, Kohima District Administration, and NHIDCL.
It must be noted here that the contact for the 26-km road project was awarded in 2020 but the progress of works has been hampered both natural and ‘human-made issues.’
As reported by The Morung Express earlier, a Public Interest Litigation (Suo Moto) with regard to the ongoing road construction is being currently heard in the HC Kohima Bench.
During the last hearing on October 19, a Bench comprising of Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Kakheto Sema, among others, directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima to take steps to resolve any issues of obstructions.
The Contractor also assured that sufficient labourers and machineries would be deployed to meet the target of completion of 51% of the work by November 2022.
Accordingly, the Court directed the Contractor to enhance the execution of the work on “war footing” while National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and Authority’s Engineer also directed to ensure that the former is working “on war footing mode for achieving the targets as per the timeline.”
