The Phek District Nagaland Contractors' and Suppliers' Union calls out Ratna Company for the slow progress of the Kohima-Jessami road project.
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DIMAPUR — The Phek District Nagaland Contractors' and Suppliers' Union (PDNCSU) has expressed dismay over the slow progress of the ongoing two-lane road construction of the Kohima-Jessami Package II, being executed by the Ratna Company.
According to a press release, the union held a spot verification of the construction site on March 14 and found that only a handful of machines were deployed and manpower was very meagre.
The union stated that only three excavators, eight dumper trucks, one road roller, one mini excavator, and two water tankers were available at the site, all of which were hired and not owned by the company.
"This indicates that the Ratna Company is not fit to pursue this mega project and will never be in a position to complete it. They have been into this project for many years and still could not bring any progression; this could be due to their inefficiency and qualification," the release read.
The union called upon the government to look into the matter immediately, terminate the work allotted to the Ratna Company, and blacklist the company for its inefficiency. It added that despite repeated appeals and agitations by various civil societies, the company seemed to be very arrogant in paying any attention to the plea of the public, causing massive inconveniences and risk to public safety.
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Following the verification, the union held a meeting with Ratna Company officials and associates at the company's base camp at the Sedzü bridge. The union expressed its dismay against the company for their inefficiency and deliberated thoroughly regarding the completion of the project.
The PDNCSU made the company give their assurance to complete the construction at the earliest, for which an agreement was signed between the two parties on March 14. In the agreement, the company's Project Manager, AS Vinod Kumar, agreed to complete the blacktopping of 600 metres between Kikruma village and North Kikruma (RD Block) by April 15.
However, during another inspection on April 25 to verify the work progress as per the agreement, the union found that the company had failed to abide by the assurance.
Another meeting was held with Kumar and Structural Engineer Itobo Assumi. The union concluded to summon the General Manager of Ratna Company, Murthy Mahankli, to appear in person before the union latest by May 15 to discuss the matters immediately.
Failing to appear under the stipulated time, the union warned that it would be compelled to take its own course of action, for which the company will be held solely responsible for any untoward incidents that may arise.