Metal protective barriers as well as guardrail are seen damaged by a landslide along the Tsiedukhru Range of the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane highway (NH-29) on September 9. The NSF, on September 13, has raised concerns over the execution and maintenance of National Highway projects by NHIDCL, particularly the NH-29 four-lane highway. (Morung File Photo)
Demands rectification of defects, action against contractors
Kohima, September 13 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to initiate an inquiry into the issuance of the Completion Certificate for Package-II of the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane highway, citing alleged incomplete works and continuing safety deficiencies.
In a press statement issued on September 13, the NSF expressed concern over what it described as poor workmanship, inadequate maintenance and prolonged delays in the execution and maintenance of National Highway projects by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), particularly the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane highway.
The Federation said the Medziphema-Peducha stretch has deteriorated over the past four to five years, with damaged road surfaces, inadequate drainage, deteriorating side structures, poor slope protection and delayed restoration works. It said the conditions pose safety risks, particularly during monsoon and night-time travel.
The NSF also claimed that several people had lost their lives and others sustained injuries in rockfalls and road-related incidents, which it attributed to alleged negligence and failure to ensure proper safety, slope stabilisation, maintenance and timely remedial measures.
It questioned the issuance of the Package-II Completion Certificate despite several works allegedly remaining incomplete, stating that the continued deficiencies warranted immediate inquiry by the competent authorities, particularly MoRTH.
The Federation further pointed out that although the project is covered by a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP), defects including collapsing side walls, inadequate drainage, poor slope protection, damaged road surfaces and deficiencies in road-safety infrastructure allegedly remained visible at various locations.
It also raised concerns over inadequate monsoon preparedness, including preventive drainage maintenance, erosion control, retaining structures and emergency-response mechanisms.
The NSF said it had previously raised similar concerns in an August 19 press statement regarding safety barriers, road furniture, reflective markers, warning signage and other ancillary works.
To this end, it urged MoRTH to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Package-II Completion Certificate, ensure immediate rectification of defects under the DLP, and fix responsibility on officials, consultants and contractors wherever negligence or substandard work is established.
It further called for appropriate contractual and disciplinary action against contractors responsible for defective or incomplete works.
It must be noted here that on September 12, the NHIDCL informed the Guahati High Court Kohima Bench that the Package II EPC contractor remained unresponsive despite repeated notice.
Accordingly, an estimate for maintenance at the contractor’s risk and cost was submitted on September 1, pending approval for tendering, it added.
Meanwhile, the NSF pointed out that comparable complaints had also emerged from other NHIDCL projects in the State, including the Kohima Bypass, Kohima-Mao Road, Dimapur Bypass, slope protection works along NH-29, Akash Bridge-Jessami Road (NH-202), and Peren-Dimapur section (NH-129A) Packages II and III.
In the interest of commuter safety, the NSF urged the State government and MoRTH to terminate NHIDCL as the implementing agency for the Dimapur-Kohima stretch and, at the earliest, entrust responsibility to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the State PWD (National Highways).
The Federation said it would continue monitoring NHIDCL projects across the State and called for time-bound measures to ensure a safe and properly maintained highway.
