The Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) has expressed dissatisfaction over the quality and completeness of the technical test report on the ongoing construction of the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Sabangya, Mokokchung district, terming it “incomplete and unsatisfactory.”
CSU Convenor, Zaongtoshi Jamir informed that the test report, which was expected within a week after the testing conducted on September 11, was only received on September 29. He noted that the report, received through the Executive Engineer, Medical Engineering Division, Kohima, came weeks later than promised and lacked key information and supporting evidence.
The technical tests—Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, Rebound Hammer, and Core Cut Sampling—were conducted by M/s North East Engineers following the September 1 ultimatum submitted by the Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) and Chungtia Village Council (CVC) to the Department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW), Government of Nagaland. The joint inspection team included representatives from the CSU and CVC; EAC Ongpangkong South Sangpangchang; Deputy CMO Mokokchung, Dr. Takosunep; SDO (Engineering Wing), H&FW, Longkai; and Santanu Dey, site engineer representing KC Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.
According to Jamir, the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity test result for beam strength was described as “poor and doubtful,” and the report was marked as incomplete. He asserted that the overall test report itself is highly doubtful, unprofessional, and cannot be relied upon, pointing out that only two beams were tested despite the building having 27 rooms and raised concerns over the adequacy and credibility of the testing. The Rebound Hammer test was rated “average,” while the Core Cut Sampling test lacked sufficient documentation, including the absence of photographic evidence of the coarse basement and sampling process.
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Jamir said that despite receiving the report on September 29, no official communication has been received from either the department or the contractor. “We waited in good faith for over a week, but there has been no response,” he said. He said that during this period, he tried to contact the SDO who was part of the site inspection team on September 11. “When I first called, he said he would discuss the matter and inform us,” Jamir stated. “However, when I called again on October 6, the call was neither received nor returned.”
He also recalled that during the joint technical inspection on September 11, the department had agreed to hold a ‘joint sitting’ involving the CSU, contractor, and district administration. “That meeting, too, has not been held till date,” he said.
The inspection and testing were conducted after CSU and CVC raised strong objections earlier in September, alleging substandard construction, structural cracks, poor plastering, and water leakage at the site.
“We have given the concerned department a five-day deadline to respond,” Jamir stated. “Should there be no satisfactory response or remedial action within that period, we will take our own necessary course of action, for which we will not be held responsible.”
Jamir reiterated that the Union remains deeply concerned about the structural integrity and safety of the hospital, emphasizing that “the findings so far have only reinforced our doubts about the quality of work carried out.”
