Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 21
On his second day of visit to Dimapur, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, Tongpang Ozukum who visited various housing complexes and mechanical office was apprised by officials of Housing Department regarding various land encroachments and illegal occupation on government land by public and organizations.
Commenting on this, the Minister said, “Under any circumstances the Department will not part with government land” and directed the officials to pursue the matter in an orderly manner.
Tongpang who has been given the name, “Giant Killer” by the people of his Angetyongpang Constituency for defeating prominent and tough contenders during the recent election first visited the PWD Rental Housing Complex where he inspected the ongoing construction of buildings under Phases III, IV and V.
He expressed satisfaction with the work undertaken by the Phase V contractor who had completed more than 70 % works despite the meagre amount released by the government. Similarly, he was also appreciative of the works carried out by the Phase III contractor having completed 50% works. However, the Minister noted that works were not progressing at all with the Phase IV construction despite releasing 50% of the fund. He said that the Department would sit with the contractor separately. Officials of the Housing Department said that the various projects should have been completed but been slowed owing to fund constraints.
The Minister also met the PWD Rental Housing Complex Tenants’ Committee and was apprised of the problems faced by the tenants. The Committee Chairman, Khehoshe Shohe informed the Minister that boundary walls of the campus had collapsed on one side and remaining sides were also on the verge of collapse. He said that the fallen walls gave rise to entry of anti-social elements inside the complex and illegal occupation of government land imminent.
The Minister assured the tenants of looking into the issue. In honour of the Minister’s visit, the Tenants’ Committee declared the entire Complex as a Plastic Free Zone. The Committee also requested the Minister about the need to metal the road within the campus. The Complex houses 136 families giving the Department a monthly revenue of Rs 5-6 lakh.
The Minister also visited the Office of the Assistant Mechanical Engineer in the vicinity. Later, Tongpang visited the NU SETAM quarter and another PWD complex at Landmark colony. He also visited PWD Staff Quarter Campus at Sematilla Colony. He was apprised by the officials about the need for repairs and renovations of the buildings. The officials also proposed construction of Children’s Park in the campus. To this, Commissioner & Secretary (Works & Housing), Bendangkokba asked the officials to submit a proposal so that that Department could pursue the matter with the appropriate authorities.
On minimal progress of construction works by the contractors, Bendangkokba directed the officials to warn the contractors about blacklisting them unless progressive works were done. The Minister was accompanied by SE (Housing), K. Nakhro; EE (R&B), Er. Talitemsu Jamir; EE (Housing) Dimapur, Er. Nitoli, SDO II (Housing), L. Akumba and other officials.
