The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has assured to open the blocked stretch of NH 29 at Dzüdza in Sechü-Zubza, Kohima district by today afternoon and meet the deadline set by the Government of Nagaland. This was informed by the Media Cell of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of PWD (National Highway), T.R. Zeliang.
Earlier on Wednesday, Zeliang, along with Salhoutuonuo Kruse, Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, inspected the landslide and interacted with the officials of the NHIDCL, contractors and Western Angami Public Organization (WAPO) leaders at the mudslide site. During this, he highlighted the hardship faced by commuters due to the prolonged road blockade and expressed concern with the way the problem is being handled lackadaisically by the implementing agency and contractors causing inordinate delayed in clearing of debris and timely opening of road.
The press release also informed that during the interaction, the Deputy CM said that the problem created by natural calamity could have being tackled in a far better way and the inconvenient of the masses could have been mitigated, had the NHIDCL and contractors heeded to the instructions and suggestions rendered during the quarterly monsoon preparedness meeting but the later had totally failed to abide by the resolutions adopted during meeting.
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Further, he mentioned that the problem was aggravated due to the cessation of restoration arising out of the misunderstanding between the NHIDCL and the Contractors. Zeliang also pointed out that the contractor had not deployed required machineries and manpower at the mudslide zone for timely clearance of the mucks which is causing unnecessary delay.
Zeliang stressed that the concerned contractor should not take advantage of the situation and make any excuses in such kind of situation when people are suffering. The duty of the contractors is to execute the work as per the agreed term efficiently by deploying maximum machineries and manpower and timely opening of the road in the interest of the public without making any excuses, he added.
The Deputy CM told the NHIDCL to serve notice to the contractor if the later continue to ceased work and also urged the agency to use upgraded technology and modern engineering in a place like Nagaland where mudslides are common problem and prepared in advance for any eventualities in future. He also directed Deputy Commissioner Kohima to call frequent coordination meeting for smooth execution of the works.
Visited the landslide-affected area in Melarü today, along with our DCM @TRZeliang, to assess the ongoing road clearing operations. We had an in-depth discussion with the @nhidcl Executive Director regarding strategies for improving the road infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/cxG0Sb6sNQ
— Salhoutuonuo Kruse (@k_salhoutuonuo) August 28, 2024
