Dimapur, February 4 (MExN): The Nagaland State unit of the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), the youth wing of the National People’s Party (NPP), has raised concerns over the quality of road construction work along the stretch between VK Town and Doyang Bridge, alleging substandard execution of retaining wall structures.
In a statement issued following what it described as an unofficial visit to the area, the NPYF claimed that the retaining walls being constructed using plum concrete did not meet basic engineering standards. According to the organisation, visual evidence collected from the site suggested that the structures resembled dry stone stacking rather than reinforced, load-bearing retaining walls required for hilly and landslide-prone terrain.
The NPYF maintained that plum concrete, as per standard specifications, involves embedding large, clean stones within a concrete matrix, typically of M10 or M15 grade, ensuring that the stones do not touch each other and are separated by a minimum concrete thickness of 150 mm. It further stated that the stones used should be free from dirt or moss to ensure proper bonding and that the finished structure should form a dense, void-free mass.
However, the organisation alleged that the work observed along the VK Town–Doyang Bridge stretch lacked an adequate concrete matrix, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the retaining walls.
Warning that the alleged poor workmanship could pose a serious risk to public safety, particularly during the monsoon season, the NPYF cautioned that such structures could collapse under water pressure or landslide conditions. It stated that any failure could endanger commuters and disrupt a key road link in the region.
The NPYF has urged the Department of National Highways and the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Nagaland, to conduct an immediate technical inspection of the ongoing works. It also called for the identification of the contractor responsible, rectification or reconstruction of substandard sections in accordance with engineering norms, and appropriate action against those found accountable.
The organisation stated that it would continue to monitor the issue and pressed the authorities to take timely corrective measures in the interest of public safety.
