DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 9 (MExN): The ACAUT Nagaland today questioned who is to blame for the failure to complete the Pokhungri- Avankhu road project.
In response to the Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Phek calling ACAUT’s allegations on the project as without substance, the latter said that their earlier reports were as per replies to RTI queries from the PWD (R&B).
A press note from the ACAUT media cell stated that the first contractor for the project had “surrendered” the work after encountering “un-anticipated rocks,” and subsequently the work order was cancelled.
“Was the second revised DPR of Rs 2339 lakhs also made not taking into consideration the un-anticipated rocks and difficult terrain?” the ACAUT asked. It further stated that as per the RTI, “the total length of the road is 18.49 kms, but it has turned out to be 24kms exceeding by over 6kms in-order to connect the ITC Avankhu, which raises many questions.”
It asked whether the contractor should have first concentrated on the work project assigned to him and not deviated from the specified project. “So here we are in a situation, where the road project is still incomplete after almost 6 six years past its completion date. Who should be held accountable for this?” it posed.
ACAUT reminded that “while one may concede to the shabby DPR made without proper technical study the first time and work being given to an ill-equipped firm, however to cite the same reason the second time is simply not acceptable and puts a huge question on competency of the engineers and the contractors who are part of this project and the efficiency of the PWD(R&B) department to handle projects.”
