Dy. CM says not to suffer ‘poor workmanship’ on roads

[caption id="attachment_232064" align="aligncenter" width="500"] WHAT’S THIS? Y Patton, centre, interacts with members of Konyak community organisations during an inspection “at construction site,” a press release from the minister’s establishment stated on Tuesday.[/caption] Dimapur, Feb. 5 (EMN): The deputy chief minister of Nagaland Yanthungo Patton has warned that “poor workmanship” when constructing roads will not be tolerated. A visit to a road construction site in Mon district is said to have left him ‘dissatisfied and disappointed.’ The source of his dissatisfaction in question was stated to be ongoing repairs and blacktopping work at Tapi area in Mon district. He was said to be anguished by the ‘poor workmanship’ undertaken by the “concern agency.” A press release from the establishment of the deputy chief minister informed on Tuesday that Y Patton, who holds the portfolio for National Highways also, said to have visited Mon. On Tuesday, he paid a “surprised visit” to an ongoing repair and construction work along National Highway-702 in Mon district. The press release stated: ‘During the inspection, the deputy chief minister felt dissatisfied and disappointed over the ongoing repairing and blacktopping works at Tapi area under Mon district, and further expressed his anguish against the poor workmanship carry out by the concern agency.’ The minister is stated to have cautioned against ‘poor workmanship’ but no mention was made whether there would be penalty for those who short change the deal. The deputy chief minister ‘stated that poor workmanship towards the public sector cannot be compromised at any cost. Therefore he urged the concerned contractual agencies to take stock of the poor work and ensure quality and good road for the public.’ Patton stated that the contractors “should maintain and follow the guidelines according to the government orders,” the updates stated. Further, the minister was stated to have urged the engineers and department officials in concern ‘to be watchful and closely monitor the whole process in order to deliver high-quality road to the people.’ National Highway-702 is one of the major highways and economic lifeline in the region, particularly to the eastern population of the state, the press release stated. The press release stated that his ‘concern for the eastern Nagas made him pay a ‘surprise check and visit to the ongoing works.’ During interactions with leaders of the Konyak Union, Konyak Students’ Union and Tapi Area Students’ Union on Tuesday, the deputy chief minister urged them and the public of the area to ‘extend full support and cooperation for better development of the road.’ Likewise, they were also urged to watch the quality of work being undertaken. He has asked the public to “report it to the government if the concerned contractors are not following according to the government guidelines and specifications.” According to the statement, the nongovernmental organisations and district administration officials of the area expressed gratitude to Patton “for having deep concern and visiting the ongoing construction under Improvement of riding quality to NH-702 at Mon district.” Patton was accompanied by superintending engineer-1 for National Highways Yanbemo Humtsoe, superintending engineer-2 Tia (no surname given); and executive engineer (NH) for Mon district, Z Mero, the updates stated.