The Rising People’s Party (RPP) has criticised the Government of Nagaland and the NHIDCL for its inadequate preparedness and lack of urgency on the construction of the National Highway -29.
With the indefinite closure of National Highway 29 between Chümoukedima town and New Chümoukedima, entering the 18th day, the RPP stated that the people of Nagaland are facing the dire consequences of the government’s inadequate preparedness and lack of urgency.
Despite repeated assurances from Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who visited the site shortly after the landslide and pledged swift action to restore the road, the RPP claimed that “little to no progress has been made especially at the Pagala Pahar stretch”.
“According to sources, on that 3-4 km stretch of Pagala Pahar, at least 8 different firms DIFFERENT FIRMS are working to restore the road (!) but alarmingly, only a handful of laborers are visible at the site, and barely 3-4 excavators are in operation—while the citizens of this harassed state thinks NHIDCL is working Day and Night on a war footing adequately supervised by the PWD (NH)! The insincerity continues and if indeed 40 m of the Pagala Pahar mountainside is to be demolished for road widening, then travelers will have to use the very dangerous Chumoukedima-New Chumoukedima by-pass road for the next 1 to 2 years,” asserted the RPP.
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The party also strongly reminded all the VIPs – Governor, CM, Ministers, and MLAs – to take the risky Chümoukedima-New Chümoukedima by-pass road like all other travelers. It further directed that the Dimapur Traffic Police should strictly ensure that rules are the same for everyone. “Taking the by-pass road does not breach the security environment and even the Governor and Chief Minister should not be spared,” stated the RPP.
On the major mudslide at Zubza, the RPP requested the G.O.C., 3 Corps Rangapahar/Indian Army to lend a Bull-dozer or two to the state PWD (NH) and NHIDCL in removing the accumulated mud debris. “The road here is sinking due to the load of the mud and if the lazi’ess and the lip service in the form of one excavator and two dumper trucks working through the mountain of mud continues Kohima may be totally cut-off soon. The Rising People’s Party also reminds Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of his 2018 vow to construct good roads within a year,” expressed the Party.
