Phek, June 2 (MExN): The Phek District, Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) stated today that the 2-lane road stretch between Chakhabama and Kikruma has been “lying in ruins” for the past 3 to 4 years.
This road is the main transport route for Phek district and the neighboring Kiphire district, for transporting daily essential commodities as well as for traveling, it noted.
According to the union, the development of the 2-lane project is being carried out by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), with construction work for Package -2, under which the stretch lies, initially allotted to the KCPL Company.
The KCPL did not execute the construction work properly, "leaving it in ruins for the commuters," and then abandoned the work for many years. Later, they handed over the work to another company named Ratna, it alleged.
However, construction work has been delayed and neglected for many years along this stretch for reasons best known to the company, it added.
Accordingly, the NCSU Phek condemned what it termed as the "height of negligence" by the company for such a long period of time and noted that
Fear psychosis has been created for commuters as the route has become very insecure to ply on, endangering their lives due to the harsh road conditions, it said.
In this connection, the union insisted that the Ratna Company speed up the pace of construction work at the earliest and clear the roads for smooth movement of vehicles, both heavy and light, before the onset of the monsoon.
In the event of failure to do so, and should damages occur to vehicles or loss of human lives due to negligence, the responsible company would be held accountable, it added.
The NCSU Phek further appealed to the district administration to intervene in the matter immediately and take swift action as a responsible competent authority for the welfare of the people.
The quality of workmanship will be thoroughly checked by the union as per the specifications of the work, which will not be compromised in any manner, stated a press release from the NCSU Phek President Kuzhoseyi Alex Soho and General Secretary Medovelo Sono.
If the company and administration fail to attend to the above-mentioned issues, the union will be obligated to take its own course of action and the company will be solely held responsible for any untoward situation, it added.
