Dimapur| November 18 : Road repair works - both minor and major - carried out in Zunheboto town during the period 2008-09/2009-10/2010-11 by two construction firms have worn off to the point where even traces of works done are hardly visible.
That the road repairs were done using sub-standard materials and much below specifications were deliberated upon when an RTI Social Auditing was held at Zunheboto Town Hall on November 16 organized by the YouthNet in partnership with Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU). The two organizations also inspected some of the repaired roads in Zunheboto town and concluded that the roads had become like it was not repaired at all. It was found that the use of sub-standard and uneven composition of materials were one of the leading causes behind the quick wear and tear of the roads. The lack of proper drainage was another contributing factor. At the Social Auditing, there was a unanimous feeling that strong public action was needed even to the extent of filing cases. There was general agreement that the roads would have lasted longer had standard materials been used for the repair works.
As per record of the PWD office Zunheboto, 12 minor repair works were carried out during 2008-09 for which an amount of Rs 135 Lakh was sanctioned. During 2009-10, Rs 190 Lakh was sanctioned for carrying out 8 minor works while Rs.75 Lakh was sanctioned to carry out 2 minor and one major work during 2010-11.
Thus, the total amount sanctioned from 2008-11 was Rs 400 Lakh. The major work carried out was from Gas Agency South Point to Kheshiho Stone Crusher via East Amphoto, the nature of work for which was Earthwork (New connectivity) with the fund amounting to Rs 50 Lakh was sanctioned.
During an interaction with the YouthNet and ZRSU, SDO PWD (R&B) Zunheboto, Inato admitted that all the road repair works were carried out “randomly and haphazardly” and quality was being compromised. According to the SDO, the works were carried out in the name of professional contractors but the actual works were being executed and overlooked by laymen who do not have proper knowledge on the specification, content and composition of materials for road repairs. “So the quality has been degraded,” he added. He wondered what happened to the roads in Zunheboto town when equal or comparable funds were being allotted to the district like all other districts.
EE PWD (R&B) Zunheboto, Er. Manenglepden said, “Technically speaking it is very hard to implement the code (specifications)” unless the public monitors work. He cited an example in Tuli where the public formed a joint action committee to see that the road constructions were carried out strictly according to the laid down specifications. He said such committees could be formed in Zunheboto too if the public wanted durable roads. He solicited the support and cooperation of the public stating that the department was acting only as the facilitators while the actual works were being carried out by contractors or firms.
That the road repairs were done using sub-standard materials and much below specifications were deliberated upon when an RTI Social Auditing was held at Zunheboto Town Hall on November 16 organized by the YouthNet in partnership with Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU). The two organizations also inspected some of the repaired roads in Zunheboto town and concluded that the roads had become like it was not repaired at all. It was found that the use of sub-standard and uneven composition of materials were one of the leading causes behind the quick wear and tear of the roads. The lack of proper drainage was another contributing factor. At the Social Auditing, there was a unanimous feeling that strong public action was needed even to the extent of filing cases. There was general agreement that the roads would have lasted longer had standard materials been used for the repair works.
As per record of the PWD office Zunheboto, 12 minor repair works were carried out during 2008-09 for which an amount of Rs 135 Lakh was sanctioned. During 2009-10, Rs 190 Lakh was sanctioned for carrying out 8 minor works while Rs.75 Lakh was sanctioned to carry out 2 minor and one major work during 2010-11.
Thus, the total amount sanctioned from 2008-11 was Rs 400 Lakh. The major work carried out was from Gas Agency South Point to Kheshiho Stone Crusher via East Amphoto, the nature of work for which was Earthwork (New connectivity) with the fund amounting to Rs 50 Lakh was sanctioned.
During an interaction with the YouthNet and ZRSU, SDO PWD (R&B) Zunheboto, Inato admitted that all the road repair works were carried out “randomly and haphazardly” and quality was being compromised. According to the SDO, the works were carried out in the name of professional contractors but the actual works were being executed and overlooked by laymen who do not have proper knowledge on the specification, content and composition of materials for road repairs. “So the quality has been degraded,” he added. He wondered what happened to the roads in Zunheboto town when equal or comparable funds were being allotted to the district like all other districts.
EE PWD (R&B) Zunheboto, Er. Manenglepden said, “Technically speaking it is very hard to implement the code (specifications)” unless the public monitors work. He cited an example in Tuli where the public formed a joint action committee to see that the road constructions were carried out strictly according to the laid down specifications. He said such committees could be formed in Zunheboto too if the public wanted durable roads. He solicited the support and cooperation of the public stating that the department was acting only as the facilitators while the actual works were being carried out by contractors or firms.
