Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 5
Nagaland today inked another milestone in the field of road connectivity as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated Dzudza Baily Bridge, connecting NH 61 and NH 39. The bridge involves an estimated cost of Rs 93, 54, 860 and was funded by the Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mumbai under negotiated loan. Rio said the newly constructed bridge will not only be beneficial for the villagers of Tsiesema, Kiruphema and Menguzouma and neighboring villages but would also largely benefit the people of Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Phek.
Rio also stressed on the need to maintain peace, adding that the developmental activities are possible when there is peace and unity among the people. Touching on the “Year of Farmers,” Rio said the government desires to enhance agricultural production and improve the living condition of the people and urged for seriousness from them to avail the government programmes. He said the present government has been giving due importance for the improvement of farming activities and socio-economic development of the state. Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Work and Housing and Mechanical, Tokheho Yephtho said that the department has 24 ongoing constructions of bridges in the state where four have already been completed. Two more bridges in the Noklak area of Tuensang district constructed under DUDA will be inaugurated on April 26.
Shortly, the department will also be bringing out a publication highlighting various achievements of the department to ensure transparency and accountability in the developmental activities, the minister said. Chairing the function, Toshi Aier, IAS, Principal Secretary Work and Housing department informed that the government was working on communitisation of the village approach roads in the state which is likely to start from this year.
Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Vikuotuolie Angami said the people coming from Northern Angami areas, Tseminyu, Phugoboto and Wokha and its neighboring villages who wished to travel to Dimapur via Kohima Town in the past covering a distance of 36 Km upto Peducha Village (Kiruphema) on NH-39 can avail the traveling distance only by 18 Km crossing over this newly constructed bridge over Dzudza River which also benefit the villages of Tsiese Basa, Tsiese Bawe village on NH-61 in the eastern part and Peducha on NH-39 Menguzouma, Peducha in the western part of this newly constructed bridge.
A budget provision of Rs 31. 50 lakhs has been kept aside for the period 2006-07 for this bridge. This provision will clear the balance amount of the contractor and also provide wing walls and protection walls for the bridge abutments to avoid erosion and river training works, Er. Vikuotuolie added. Extending gratitude to the government, the villagers also look forward to black topping of this road in the near future.
Several ministers including planning Minister Dr. Shurhozelie, PHED minister P Longon, minister for transport and communication Imtilemba Sangtam, parliamentary secretaries Nkhao Lotha, R. Khing, MC Konyak, Kaito and other government officers attended the function. Vote of thanks was tendered by Er. N. Chielie, Engineer-in-chief, PWD.
Morung Express News
