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‘Unhealthy and dusty roads at Medziphema’, according to the town’s youth organisation.[/caption]
Dimapur, April 8 (EMN): While accusing a construction firm of disregard for the health of residents of Medziphema area, in Dimapur district, a youth organisation from said area has warned of ‘appropriate measures to arrest the unprecedented level of dust pollution along the whole stretch in its jurisdiction at the earliest without excuses.’
The Medziphema Town Youth Organisation (MTYO) issued a press release on Sunday stating it was “compelled to publish grievances of the people particularly on hazardous dust pollution caused from the ongoing four-lane project works due to the continued lackadaisical, self-centred attitude of the ECI company who is the contractor working between Patkai bridge and Piphema.”
According to the organisation, ‘public leaders’ from the area have repeatedly appealed to the company to spray water along the entire stretch while carrying out their construction activities in order to prevent dust floating.
"As a responsible contractor (sic), it must abide by the rules of the work order, MoU, etc., as also other humanitarian obligation and take responsibility to water and keep the whole stretch of road-cutting works free from dust at anytime of the day," the press release read.
It claimed that the ECI has "not taken effective action of watering the length and breadth of road-cutting areas" in spite of repeated appeals from ‘various public leaders and organisations of Medziphema since the works began late previous year.’
"Among those who have already approached the contractor (sic) with officially written requests include Medziphema Village Council, Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho, Medziphema Town Youth Organisation, Chairmen’s' Forum, Medziphema Area Villages, and Ward 4 and 5, Medziphema town," the press release informed.
The organisation stated that all appeals—verbal and written—made to the ECI had fallen on deaf ears. “...Dust pollution related diseases have taken a heavy toll on the denizens particularly children which can be aptly authenticated from the lone hospital in town or even from medicine outlets, pharmacies, health workers, etc.,” it stated.
The youth organisation stated that it cannot compromise the ‘rights of the people.’ It warned the ECI of ‘appropriate measures’ in retaliation. “... the whole stretch of road should remain moist or dust-free, a prerequisite in the work order, which otherwise, has serious health implications.”
It warned that “any attempt by ECI to prolong a negligent attitude” may lead to unforeseen and ugly incidents. in order to avoid such an eventuality, the MTYO stated, the ECI should ‘settle the matter’ with the people of the area.
