Directs for a Bailey bridge over Chathe river 4th mile to be completed within two months
Dimapur, August 2 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister T.R.Zeliang visited the recent flood affected areas in Dimapur on Wednesday wherein the CM informed that he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a meeting with him on Tuesday in Assam, on the state of the flood situation particularly in Dimapur.
As per DPRO Dimapur, Zeliang disclosed that he had asked the centre for approximately Rs. 700 crore for relief but said ‘unless specific reports are submitted, centre would not be in a position to sanction the amount’.
Stating that calamity of such magnitude that hit Dimapur recently has occurred after around 50 years; Zeliang described the situation as ‘unprecedented natural calamity’.
The state CM was accompanied by a host of cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner, officials from PWD (R&B), Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), administrative officers of Dimapur and police officials.
When queried on the immediate measures to be taken up by the government, Zeliang said that his immediate attention would be to get immediate relief for the affected victims.
“19 people have died in the recent flood; five are still missing so the government is taking measures to discover the missing people while one dead body was recovered from Myanmar”, informed Zeliang as per the DPRO press note.
Talking about the long term plans, Zeliang said that all the departments and NDMSA are on the job on war footing assessing the damage including crops, roads and bridges caused by the recent floods. After all the assessments are completed a comprehensive report will be prepared and sent to Delhi, Zeliang informed.
Upon visiting the already crumbling bridge above Dhansiri river in Kuda ‘B’ Khel, Nagarjan, Zeliang directed R&B Chief Engineer (C.E) to work out for immediate dismantling of the Bridge and to start construction works from both sides without delay.
He expressed surprise to learn that the work at the bridge in has not started till now despite money being sanctioned and work order issued since last year and subsequently asked the R&B department to act immediately. To ease the problem of the public immediately, the CM asked the NSDMA officials to prepare an estimate for construction of a hanging bridge so that people can cross the water while work is being done simultaneously.
With regard to the 4th mile bridge over Chathe river, Zeliang directed for immediate construction of suspension bridge for the convenience of the public and a Bailey bridge to be completed within two months. He also asked the R&B officials to initiate for taking up the construction of the main bridge without delay.
On the road condition of Dimapur, Zeliang said he has called for a meeting in Kohima on Thursday, where C.E (National Highways), National Highways engineers, BRO, R&B, C.E., contractors working between Kohima and Dimapur and other allied departments will be working out a tentative plan.
Zeliang also informed that immediate repair of potholes along Dimapur highway -Purana Bazaar-Tragopan hotel-Khermahal-Duncan Basti will be worked out. He further said that the outlet from Full Nagarjan to 3rd mile also needs to be repaired immediately. “Executive Engineer (R&B) has been asked to identify immediate repair works required in the road stretch from Sovima to Rangapahar” maintained the press note from DPRO.
While agreeing to the fact that the main reason for floods in the rural pockets are mainly due to poor drainage system, Zeliang felt that if the government provides fund for construction of drainage, the colony people should be in a position to part with the land and pass resolution for common interest.
To work out on these issues, the DPRO report stated that the government has entrusted Urban Development Department for addressing the drainage systems while for river embankment, department of Irrigation and Flood Control has been asked to survey and bring out a report.
The CM along with his entourage visited the 4th mile collapsed bridge over Chathe river, the ancient Bridge above Dhansiri river in Kuda ‘B’ Khel, Nagarjan, Naharbari village, United Village Half Nagarjan and Ekhyo Yan (Domokia).
