DIMAPUR — Consequent to the expiry of the
30-day deadline given to the state government to repair the VK Town-Doyang
stretch of NH 61 by the Ao Senden, which lapsed on December 4, a team from the
Ao Senden, accompanied by officials from the PWD (National Highways) Mokokchung
Division, conducted an on-site verification on Thursday.
The Ao Senden team was also accompanied by officials from
the Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT), according to an update.
During the trip, officials from the PWD (National Highways)
briefed the Senden and ALT representatives, stating that they had repaired the
road as best as they could. However, they explained that the road construction
works had already been allotted to a contractor and that the construction of
the ‘two-lane’ road would begin shortly.
It should be noted that the Ao Senden issued an ultimatum on
October 29, 2024, to the deputy chief minister and minister in charge of
national highways, demanding that the PWD (National Highways) urgently initiate
repairs along NH-61(VK Town-Doyang
stretch) and make the road passable within 30 days as a ‘contingency measure’.
The ultimatum, which appeared in newspapers on November 4,
expired on November 27. When the Ao Senden conducted an inspection on the final
day, the PWD (NH) requested an extension of time. The extended period ended on
December 4.
After the inspection trip, representatives of the Ao Senden
urged the PWD (NH) to carry out further repair works with the utmost
seriousness and ensure the road is made safe for all commuters. Moreover, they
stressed that the momentum of road development should not be slowed down and
demanded that the two-lane road be completed at the earliest.
The ALT officials, who were also part of the inspection
team, pointed out that the ‘repaired’ highway, where the potholes had been
filled with mud and gravel, should be watered and compacted with a road roller.
