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The SKK provided this image, understood to be a portion of a major highway that connects Nagaland University at Lumami in Zunheboto to Mokokchung district. The SKK has demanded ‘quality work’ while also warning inspection officers against 'compromising' their assessment of the roads.[/caption]
Dimapur, Aug. 22 (EMN): A students’ organisation has demand from the authorities ‘quality’ work along the stretch of National Highway 702A, which connects Nagaland University at Lumami in Zunheboto to Mokokchung district.
The All Sumi Students' Union (SKK) on Wed. issued a statement appealing to the Public Works department (national highways) to intervene and ensure quality work as prescribed, and without delay.
A letter from the SKK addressed to the chief engineer stated that the 'improvement of riding quality to NH 702A from km 5/460 to 16/000 under NH Mokokchung division,’ which was stated to have completed recently, showed no semblance of work ever being carried out 'except for some patches of blacktopped portions.'
Stating that the union had verified the entire stretch of the road recently, the SKK stated that the blacktopped layers have 'all eroded away and only the soil remains with potholes and muddy water.'
"That the quality of works carried out on a NH could be totally damaged within two-three months of completion has taken the SKK by unbelievable shock and aggravated at the poor workmanship quality," the SKK complained.
The organisation reminded that the pathetic condition of the road is causing much inconvenience to the local population, and university staff and students. The SKK pointed out that the road connects Nagaland University and neighbouring villages to Mokokchung, the nearest town.
Given the importance of the road and ‘verified deplorable condition’ of the completed work, the SKK has asked the chief engineer to intervene and ensure ‘quality work,’ in accordance with stipulated specifications, and without delay.
"The SKK also maintains its strong position that failure to deliver quality road as per specifications would compel us to adopt other alternative measures, much to the displeasure of the department and the contractor, to see that the public are given quality roads commensurate with the amount released," the SKK cautioned.
‘Will strictly monitor roads projects in Sumi areas ‘
In a separate press statement, the SKK on Wed. assured that it would strictly monitor all ongoing road construction/repair works being undertaken as part of the PMGSY phase-IX batch-I for 2017-18. It has strongly demanded that the government officials and contractors ensure quality works.
The organisation stated that there were eight ongoing road projects from the PMGSY’s phase-IX batch-I for 2017-18. The SKK appealed to contractors to sincerely ensure quality work and in accordance with work specifications. The union said that it would continually monitor the work to see that they are undertaken satisfactorily. It appealed to the departmental officers entrusted with inspecting the work to insist on the prescribed specifications and not to compromise when ensuring work of good quality.
"Bigger blame for all sub-standard works fall on the inspection officers who often connive with the contractors on the quality of works eventually leading to wastage of public money and giving the citizens deficient development," the SKK stated.
The organisation warned that if at any point of time they are found conniving with the contractors leading to sub-standard work, the union would not hesitate to take appropriate action as deemed fit, either by traditional means or legally.
Likewise, the SKK warned that the contractors would be held equally responsible for any poor quality work and would initiate stringent steps to blacklist their firms.
