Kaito Aye visits Suruhuto-Asukhomi road, directs expediting work

DIMAPUR — G Kaito Aye, Minister for Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges), visited the ongoing Central Road Fund (CRF) project ‘Suruhuto to Asukhomi’ on November 29 with departmental officers, the work of which was awarded to M/s Naga Construction in July 2018.

According to an update received here, the purpose of his visit was to understand the situation on the ground and to take measures to expedite the project's completion. The road is the shortest connecting Suruhuto A/C, Aghunato A/C, and eastern Naga areas with Zunheboto district, and black topping work has begun from the Suruhuto side.

During the visit, the departmental officers present included Kevide Nakhro, chief engineer; Swarai Meru, additional chief engineer; M Hotokhu Achumi, superintending engineer (Zunheboto circle); Hekuto, executive engineer (Zunheboto); Dr. Khuito Murumi, executive engineer (Atoizu); and other technical staff of the PWD (R&B), Atoizu division.

Representatives from the Suruhuto Area Public Organisation and GB Association Suruhuto Area were also there.

The minister, during the visit, directed the respective authorities undertaking the construction to mobilise and deploy more manpower and machinery for completion of the work by December 2023, as assured to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

He noted that almost all ongoing projects are at least a half-decade or a decade old and cautioned that unless utilisation certificates are submitted to the ministry, Nagaland will not receive funds for additional projects, and the only option now is to foreclose on stagnant projects.

According to the press release, the minister will visit all incomplete or ongoing CSS road projects to ensure that they are completed on time and that the state does not lose necessary funding.

The chief engineer, additional chief engineer, and executive engineer (Atoizu) along with his team also visited the ongoing CRF project, where the road from Naghuto (New) to Pukhobokita (Coco Doyang Road) is being upgraded.

The work is being executed by the same firm since June 2018, and instructions have been given for quality workmanship and work execution as per specifications for both projects and for completion of the work within this dry season.