Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) minister inspects foothill road project

G Kaito Aye and Achumbemo Kikon along with other officials during inspection to foothill road project on April 16.

• DIMAPUR — The minister of Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges), G Kaito Aye, undertook a comprehensive two-day inspection tour of the ongoing Nagaland foothill road project on April 15 and 16 and assessed progress across multiple divisions, issuing critical directives to ensure timely and quality execution.
  
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• An update from the office of chief engineer PWD ((R&B) stated that the minister was accompanied by the chief engineer, additional chief engineer, superintending engineers, executive engineers and technical officers of the PWD (R&B).

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• It stated that Tuli, Longleng and Naginimora sections were covered on the first day of inspection.
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• In Tuli section, the team instructed re-grading of road alignment at several locations in the green-field length of 8.5 km and strict instructions were issued to avoid stone dust in all constructions. It was also observed that there are two swampy stretches to which the minister directed the submission of diversion proposals for approval.
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• It was observed that Tuli section needed significant improvement in execution quality and compliance with standards.
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• In Longleng section, progress was found to be sluggish and the contractors were instructed to accelerate work and deploy additional machinery including motor graders and compactors to meet deadlines.
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• In Mon and Naginimora section, concerned divisions were directed to submit a detailed action plan to ensure the Tizit to Tuli stretch becomes motorable by May 2025 and all sanctioned bridges to be completed by December 2025.
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• On April 16, Dimapur and Baghty divisions (Niuland to Merapani and road to Rengmapani) were covered. The minister and his team of officials were joined by MLA Achumbemo Kikon.
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• The team reviewed progress along the Niuland-Merapani stretch and Nuiland to Rengmapani road. The ongoing works at this stretch was found to be satisfactory.
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• The team instructed all contractors to cut hill slopes with proper angle of repose to ensure stability of cut slopes. Use of inferior materials not meeting laid down specifications such as stone dust in CRSM or RCC works and river gravel in GSB layers were prohibited.
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• Instruction was also given for mandatory use of motor graders and soil compactor/ vibratory rollers sub-grade and stone metaling layers.
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• During the two-day inspection, the minister emphasised that the foothill road is a transformative project for Nagaland’s connectivity and economic growth and urged all the stakeholders to maintain high standards and expedite work. He made it clear that quality should not be compromised. Contractors and divisions were asked to adhere to specifications and ensure timely completion for the benefit of the people.
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• Report stated that the inspection underscored the state government’s commitment to robust infrastructure development with close monitoring to address bottlenecks and enforce accountability.