Decreased road maintenance fund affecting development
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 3
Minister for Road & Bridges Y. Vikheho Swu today said that with the removal of special category funding for Nagaland by the central government has severely affected the developmental activities in the state.
He said the worst affected is the PWD (Roads and Bridges) Department as the Central government has decreased the road maintenance fund of the state from Rs. 200 crore in 2014 to Rs. 40 crore last year and has provided the same amount even this year.
He revealed this while interacting with media persons here after inspecting various roads under State’s Public Works Department (PWD) in Kohima this morning along with minister for environment, forest and climate change Dr Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, parliamentary secretary for youth resources & sports, state lotteries and music task force Khriehu Liezietsu and Chief Engineer (PWD) Tali with host of departmental officials.
The Minister inspected the works being undertaken by colony residents connecting the main town from Naga Bazaar-Kieziekie-Pezielietsie-Rakabozou-Sepfuzou (near Alder College).
Swu directed his engineers to conduct proper survey of the entire stretch of road and bring out a feasibility report along with the requirement of number of bridges. “Once completed the road would be an alternative route to ease traffic congestion in the main town during peak hours,” he expressed.
The team also inspected the possibility of opening a road connecting Kenouzou with Billy Graham Road near Kohima College.
After that Swu inspected the Kohima Village circular road which was constructed with meagre fund provided by Department under the observation of Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO). He appreciated the efforts of the local representative Khriehu and the villagers for the quality workmanship.
Subsequently, Swu and team inspected the opening of a road from Midland to Lower PWD.
He went through colonies such as AG-Lerie-Aradhura-New Ministers’ Hill-South Police Station winding the inspection of road gathering information about the immediate needs.
“We have understood and taken note of the road condition with today’s inspection and it must be the same situation in other colonies too,” Swu said.
He, however, lamented that with a meager road maintenance fund amounting to Rs 40 crore for the entire state, it is difficult to provide adequate funds so that better roads are provided to the people.
Requesting the general public to understand the situation, Swu said the department is trying its level best to provide better roads to the citizens.
He asserted that the Department would execute repair works and fill up potholes, which would be completed before this monsoon, especially in major towns of the state, including Kohima and Dimapur.
Further, Swu also stated that henceforth the department would ascertain that quality work is being executed so that those roads will not require repair for at least 3-4 years and the available funds can be put in other road projects.
