Z Lohe
The Phek District is fortunate to have three roads of 2-Lane category under SARDP, namely, Chakhabama-Chozouba-Zunheboto Road, Pfutsero-Sakraba-Phek Road and Kohima-Chakhabama-Pfutsero-Chizami-Jessami Road. Of all the developments, road is one of the first indispensably basic needs of the people without which no real progress in other developmental areas can follow suit. These roads when successfully completed will remain to be the lifeline of the District. These major projects which are 100% funded by Surface Road Transport Ministry, GOI came to Phek District not from the blue but at the cost of someone’s sacrifice, and such projects were allocated to our people once in a life time. It has to be the endeavor of every sensible citizen of Phek District in particular to extend one’s cooperation to both the contractors and to the monitoring authorities for satisfactory workmanship and for timely completion of the projects. At times, it is disappointing to observe that the irrationality of some of our people tends to pollute the congenial atmosphere mostly because of greed. Such individuals may not be realizing the magnitude of ramifications and yet their unpalatable actions have its rippling damage to the culture of the community as a whole.
With regard to my personal concern, I am perturbed by the information of forcible taxation on Maducom, the Contractor, executing 2/3 i.e. 42 kms from 20 km to 62 km on Pfutsero-Sakraba-Phek Road at the very moment. I have verified and found that most of the Naga National workers belonging to several governments are demanding money from the contractor. What I have not verified is that whether anyone of those demanding money and claiming to represent a Govt. of their own is fabricated and not genuine, and if so, such group is not implicated herewith.
Why am I perturbed is that an employee of the contractor was even kidnapped recently though the victim was rescued by the District Police as known. The purpose of the kidnapping must have been for ransom. Whichever group had involved in the drama, the question poses to the very group is that as to whether such bandit culture was in accordance to the Naga National principle? Including this group along with the rest of all the others who had delegated their cadres to exact tax from the said contractor, I pose this question to each one of them as to whether this 2-lane road is considered to be anti-Naga National project? Is this road of ours posing threat to anyone?
The Centre Chakhesang comprising of 7 villages, namely, Porba, Sakraba, Gidemi, Phola, Upper Khomi, Middle Khomi and Lower Khomi remained backward all this while for want of good road. Meanwhile, the ongoing 2-Lane road, when completed successfully, is expected to uplift the economic condition of the people in this area. This road will also become the most convenient route between Pfutsero and the District HQ Phek.
That being the importance of the road, I expect the Naga National workers in particular to lend their support for quality workmanship according to the given specifications and timely completion of the road. I also expect that the Naga National workers extend their cooperation to the District Administration and to the public representatives in containing incoherent and anti-road activities of unscrupulous elements in the process of the execution of the works. When an asset as the said road is being created somewhere in our land, it is most appropriate for our National workers to actively support it.
On the contrary, it is learnt that at the moment, the contractor is badly harassed with the demand of money by the cadres from different groups. When the contractor, a non-local is placed under much stress and strain both mentally and physically, I can imagine how much zeal the contractor would have to execute the works properly. Such demands for money pollute the environments at the work sites. Such harassment frightens the contractor by which he will definitely loss interest in the work.
Besides, the worst will be the consequential compromise in the quality workmanship in all the items. The fact remains that when the profit margin is diminished substantially due to extortion of so called tax, the contractor may be compelled to minimize the investments on quality works as per laid down specifications on items of work. Whereas, under the given situation, the ultimate looser or the victim is not the contractor but the commuters, the proprietors of the road. Such inferior quality workmanship of the road will not be lasting. By the EPC model, the contractor is bound to maintain the road he has constructed for at least 4 years post completion. Yet, the commuters’ requirement of the road is indefinite. Thus, the inferior workmanship is going to cause permanent damage to the road and the general public will suffer in the long run.
Even as it is, whether the contractor is under the compelling circumstances of forcible taxation or not, as for me I am not satisfied with some of items particularly the quality of the stone being used for metalling on Chakhabama- Chozouba till Dzulhami and on Pfutsero-Sakraba-Phek Road. The soft stone in question which is being in use substantially for both the roads is irresistible to heat and rain. When the said specie which becomes brittle in sun and rain is used for metalling and carpeting purposes, I wonder how will the roads last.
Nevertheless, it is known that the contractor does not use any item without permission from NHIDCL. For instance, stone dust is used in lieu of sand from Assam for construction purposes and precast rings are used for Cross-drain on Chozouba road which were permitted by NDIDCL. Therefore, should any sub-standard material is used by any of the contractors with the approval of NHIDCL whereby the quality control is found compromised, the NHIDCL is to be held responsible primarily.
In such case, the District Administration has to take up with the appropriate authority in the interest of the public.
