Shiihrazhiio A Mao
Dimapur | January 8
After a long time without any improvement in condition, the road from Burma Camp Bazaar to United North Block B is under construction. This is the road which is the gateway from Bokajan, Assam into Nagaland.
“The construction is carried out with the plan to let heavy vehicles travel from this road, especially Manipur trucks,” said Luthrea Rai, a local resident.
However, for the longest time possible, this road has been neglected by the state government and was in poor condition. The last time there was even a bit of black topping on the road was in 2006. “When I first arrived, there was only jungle, a few houses and the saw mill,” said Saku Latdem, a senior resident who has lived in the area since 1995. Lots of things have changed since that time, however, “the road condition has never improved until now,” he added.
On October 29, 2016, the Gaon Buras and United North Block B Council members held a meeting with the contractors to begin the road construction. This was after nearly 10 months since foundation of sand and stone was already laid. “Delay (in the road construction work) is because of contractors’ negligence,” alleged N. Humtsoe, Chairman of United North Block B. Attempt was made to get in touch with the contractors but was not possible.
Even now the construction is taking much longer time than expected. “The machines they are using are not even working effectively,” the chairman added. The current demonetization issue is also adding to the problem since the contractors are unable to pay the labourers in time causing the work to stop from time to time.
Absence of provision for drainage system is another major problem in the project. “How long can the road survive without drainage system?” asked Asakho Mahi, a businessman and local resident.
As soon as the RC bridge is constructed just across the Assam border, trucks and other heavy vehicles are expected to start travelling on this road. Despite this, there is still no action taken by the contractors to solve the issue of drainage system.
The writer is currently an intern at The Morung Express
