New Bridge at Nagarjan by this year 

State’s PWD minister not happy with funding pattern from the Centre

[caption id="attachment_229786" align="aligncenter" width="565"] The ongoing construction of a new bridge over Dhansiri River at Nagarjan ‘Kuda B Khel’, in Dimapur.[/caption] Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, Jan. 24: The construction of a new bridge over Dhansiri River at ‘Kuda B Khel’ in Nagarjan, Dimapur will be completed this year. The executive engineer of PWD (R&B), Dimapur, Talitemsu Jamir told Eastern Mirror, “The construction progress of the new bridge is moving at a good pace and should be completed by the end of this year.” According to a reliable source, even though 25-30% of the bridge construction has completed, the “financial progress” is just 2%. “The payment made to the contractor is still very low even though the progress of construction is way beyond the payment,” the source said. Minister of PWD, Tongpang Ozukum told this reporter that the “funding pattern” was not good as the funds were part of the Central Road Funds (CRF). “Many projects fall under the CRFs and small amount of funds are released for various works under this fund,” Ozukum said. “The contractor is doing a lot and is highly appreciated for continuing the work because of the urgency, need and demand of the people despite the financial constraints.” A concern Ozukum cited was that of the monsoon season and its effect of halting construction works on the bridge. “The monsoons will arrive when the technical part will be put to use as slabs will be the next step after the pillars and since it is concrete work, the work might get stalled a while during the monsoon season,” he said. “Nonetheless, the contractor is determined and very serious about completing the bridge for the people by the end of this year,” Ozukum asserted. The minister also informed that the bridge over Chathe River at 4^th Mile in Dimapur is also being constructed by the same contractor and around 40% of the construction works has been completed.