Sanuorü Bridge: Lockdown forces another missed deadline

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 6 (EMN): The ongoing construction of the four-lane bridge over Sanuorü River in Kohima leading to Nagaland Civil Secretariat, which was expected to be opened for two-lane traffic by April 2020, as stated by one of its contractors to Eastern Mirror in November last year, has missed the bus.

One of the officials, Mezhu, from the firm KC Angami and Sons, who is executing the ongoing project, said that the target as stated last year by its co-partner could not be achieved due to the current circumstances triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic that has adversely affected the procurement of construction materials.

He stated that prior to the lockdown, they had also faced problems of bringing workers as issuing of inner-line permit was stopped in Dimapur.

He maintained that the transportation of materials was greatly hampered by the lockdown, although the relaxations have allowed them to resume work with the materials that are available. He stated that the supplier of cement could not meet their demand, while they also faced another problem of procuring rod for the construction.

Further, he said that cement ran out of stock in Dimapur and Kohima and the firm had to make an arrangement to source it straight from the company. However, due to reduced workforce in the cement factory, it could not meet the requirements of the firm.

He also shared that the labourers had developed a fear about the novel coronavirus and requested the contractors to let them go back home once movement was allowed. However till date, the work is in progress with half of the labourers, out of forty, working on site; while some went home before the lockdown in the state.

The arch for the two-lane bridge has been prepared and it was also informed that once they get the materials, they would complete it at the earliest.

He expressed hope that the works would pick up pace post-lockdown, for its early completion as three pillars have already been raised. They are currently raising the foundation of the fourth pillar.

Meanwhile, the sub-divisional officer, PWD (Road and Bridges), south division (Kohima), Vimete Pusa, said that 85% of the works have been completed.