Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 18
MINISTER for National Highways, Nuklutoshi while expressing that proper development of roads in the state is being hampered because of the landowners today appealed to the landowners to give land free of cost and get good quality roads in the state.
“If you want good roads, you should give land free of cost,” the Minister said while addressing a press conference at his chamber in secretariat here. He also added that the Union Minister of Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari has also assured to provide sufficient money for best roads provided the state can provide clearances of land acquisition, environment and forest. He said that during his meeting with Gadkari last week in Delhi, the Union Minister had asserted that “if the clearances are provided, there is no problem for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to provide the money”.
Lamenting that landownership provided under Article 371(A) of the Constitution has been hampering developmental activities in the state, he opined “it is good that we have such rights but we are being injured by our own rights”.
If the people do not want to part with the land than they should also not complain about the bad roads in the state, he said while expressing the hope that the landowners would freely part with the land while Centre would provide funds to construct the best roads in the state.
Dwelling on the Special Accelerated Road Development Project (SARDP), the Minister lamented that the people of the four districts where the projects are being implemented have been suffering badly because of the road conditions.
On the complaints of the M/s Maytas and Gayatri firm about threatening and harassment from the public, he said that it is because the people are suffering and they are irritated as there is no progress of works on any of the four roads.
“Three rainy seasons have passed by with people of the area immensely suffering without any road,” he said, adding that before the Maytas and Gayatri came in though bad there were roads but now they have stopped working and there are no roads at all.
He also maintained that the department has served show cause notice repeatedly to the firm for abandoning the road construction, but the firm has failed to continue the work. Rather, he said, M/s M&G have given the contract works to another firm one Ratna & Company, while it has again given sub-contract to a third firm.
The Department having left with no option wrote to the Union MoRTH and now the firm will not be able to file any national level tender. He said the firm approached him and the department for revocation of the notification but “we have clearly told the firm that unless they resume the work the notification cannot be revoked.
Subsequently, he said the firm has now gone to the court and the department approached the state’s Additional Advocate General to take up the matter on priority as people of four districts are suffering.
However, the department was surprised to receive the court notice that the respondent had no objection if stay order was given in favour of the firm, he said adding that the fault lies in government lawyer. Therefore, he said that the department has now engaged a private lawyer because the government advocate failed to protect the interest of the state.
Nuklutoshi said that if such is the attitude of the government advocates, “I will take up the matter at the highest level and we may go upto termination of the advocate for being casual with such important public interest.
Also expressing sadness that contractors have the habit of price escalation in the works, he said that henceforth all the contract works should be completed within the stipulated time frame and also without any escalation in the fund, except for some special cases that too with proper justifications.
On being highlighted about the dilapidated road conditions under Border Road Organisation in the state capital, he said that the BRO has assured the state government that they would repair the roads within couple of weeks.
He said during a recent meeting in presence of Chief Minister TR Zeliang an office of the BRO has assured to take the repair works. “Now we are waiting for the fulfillment of the assurance given by BRO,” he said.
Further, the Minister also revealed that the MoRTH has granted four new National Highways for Nagaland.
The highways starting from its junction with NH-2 near Chantongia connecting Longleng, Longching, Mon, Lapa, Tizit in the State of Nagaland, Sonari and terminating at its junction with new NH No. 215 near Sapekhati in the State of Assam.
The highway starting from its junction with new NH No. 2 near Mokokchung connecting Zunheboto, Phek in the State of Nagaland and terminating at Jessami near new NH No. 29 in the State of Manipur.
The highway starting from its junction with NH-2 near Maram in the State of Manipur connecting Peren, Jaluki, Pimla, Junction, Razaphe Junction and terminating at NH No. 29 near Dimapur in the State of Nagaland.
The highway starting from its junction with Longleng on new NH No. 702 in the State of Nagaland terminating at its junction with NH No. 202 at Tuensang in the State of Nagaland.
Asked whether the state government would pursue the four-laning of Dimapur-Kohima of National Highway, he said funds have already been sanctioned by the Central government but it is being delayed because of the land acquisition issue and not providing clearances.
Nuklutoshi, who also hold the portfolio of Soil and Water Conservation, having met the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, revealed that she has also assured to extend all possible help in granting funds to the state.
He revealed that as pilot project, his department would be launching ‘Reservation of traditional ponds in the villages’ for conservation of water.
