WOKHA, FEBRUARY 9 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner Wokha and the Office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (National Highways) has appealed the Lotha civil society organizations to keep the ongoing indefinite bandh in abeyance while stating that sincere efforts are being pursued for early mobilization of machineries and workforce for resumption of the project.
In an appeal addressed to the Lotha Hoho chairman, the Wokha DC, Ajit Kumar Ranjan informed that the contractor had issued a notice for intention to terminate the project on February 1, 2024 while citing reasons of “not having an obstruction free and safe working environment to carry out its work.”
Further, because of the frequent bandhs and agitations by various CSOs their work has been forcibly stopped on numerous occasions which have materially adverse effects. In addition to this, the contractor had also stated of being continuously forced to dismantle the structures beyond the ROW which is not in their scope, the contractor is learnt to have informed the Chief Engineer PWD (NH).
In this connection, the PWD department held a meeting with the representative of the contractor on February 9 where the contractor was convinced to resume the work after much deliberation and assuring them of the following terms and conditions-
That works would be carried out as per the scope of the contract agreement only, no additional work should be enforced upon the contractor and the works outside of the ROW should not come under the purview of the contractor.
That the contractor or his machineries are not responsible to carry out any dismantling or eviction works outside the ROW as per the contract agreement and hence should not be forced upon.
That if anyone has any issues and concerns regarding the quality and specifications of the work, they should approach the PWD (NH) department officials and should not harass the workmen at site. If any further threat is meted to the workers, the contractor will be compelled to withdraw from the work, it stated.
