EE PWD (R&B), PAPO defend contractor from ACAUT allegations
Phek, October 8 (MExN): The Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Phek Division has stated that the ACAUT Nagaland’s allegations of corruption in the Pokhungri-Avakhung-Layshi Road is “technically without substance and uncalled for.” The allegations had been brought forth earlier by ACAUT Nagaland against M/s Viu Angami & Sons, calling for the company’s blacklisting.
“As civil engineers dealing with road construction works, this particular project has been one of the most challenging project for which, PWD(R&B) department took up the challenge head on to make the road through with full co-operation and commitment of the contractor,” noted Er. Abija Khing, Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Phek Division, in a clarification issued today.
The EE informed that the project was initially sanctioned for an amount of Rs.1042 lakh for 18.49 km by North East Council during 2005-06 vide No.NEC/(T&C)/APPROVAL/2005-06/13 Dated September 12, 2005, and the work was allotted to M/S Nagaland Builders Pvt. Ltd.
“However, after encountering rocky portions the contractor could not proceed further owing to the extremely difficult unforeseen working conditions for which the firm was ill-equipped to handle and ultimately had to surrender the work order,” the EE explained.
Thereafter, the project remained dormant for the next four years “in spite of the best efforts of the department to continue with the works.”
This is when the Government of Nagaland “through the active initiation” of the then Development Commissioner Nagaland Alemtemshi Jamir and the then Commissioner & Secretary Works and Housing Temjen Toy “could convince the ministry to agree” to a revised DPR amounting of Rs. 2339 lakh as per NPWD SOR 2010 during 2011-12, stated the EE. The work was then allotted to M/S Viu Angami & Sons “as this firm was capable and fully equipped to execute the works successfully which involved blasting of hard rock of huge magnitudes in extremely hostile working conditions” vide W/O No. CE(R&B)/TB/NEC-10th/PUK-AVANKHU(Pt-1)/2004-05 Dated December 17, 2012, minus the quantum and value of work already executed by M/s Nagaland Builders.
The EE further maintained, “Allegation that the project was deliberately stalled and delayed to revise the cost of the project is also uncalled for which can best be verified from the comments of inspecting officials from the funding agency including the Advisor & Engineers from NEC as well as from the State including ministers, MLAs and high ranking government officials.” The Department acknowledged that this project is running behind schedule. However, “during the course of execution, un-anticipated hard rock requiring blasting was encountered at many locations which was overlooked during the preparation of DPR due to the extremely inaccessible steep terrain along the alignment and also the deceptive soil strata.”
Further, the EE noted, the sanctioned length of the project was for 18.49 km only. However, M/S Viu Angami & Sons has constructed over 24 km to connect the ITC Avakhung (located on the 13th km) till beyond the Indo-Myanmar international boundary so as to fulfill the intention and purpose of the project i.e. to open up trade and commerce related activities between India and Myanmar.
“Whether the road seem barely visible can best be judged and testified from the local inhabitants who are witness to the progress and hardships faced by the executing agency throughout the course of execution of works and also of the fact that trading activities are now taking place between India and Myanmar after connecting the two countries through this project,” stated Er. Khing.
PAPO clarifies
Meanwhile, the Phokhungri Area Public Organisation (PAPO) expressed in a separate press release that the demand to blacklist M/s Viu Angami & Sons is “uncalled for and irrational.”
“For a remote and ignored area like ours, this particular project has been the only project of significant importance crucial to our very existence as this road has opened up our area to wide range of opportunities like opening of the ITC at Avakhung where trading activities with neighbouring Myanmar have started, cultural activities exchange programs have increased, Assam Rifles outpost has come up,” listed the PAPO in a press release from its President, Krutu Thurr, and General Secretary, Ruzhuse Perry.
According to the PAPO clarification, this road passes through “very steep rocky mountains which was largely inaccessible prior to construction of this road and we are witness as to how M/s Viu Angami & Sons as well as PWD(R&B) department have sacrificed to make the road through in this difficult working conditions. We have also never come across the contractor deliberately stopping the works excepting during rainy season and major holidays.”
The PAPO requested the authorities to “act wisely so that such genuine project does not perish due to unfounded allegations.”
