State to introduce road maintenance policy

Dimapur, October 30: With receipt of meager fund amounting Rs 40 crores against the total requirement of Rs 300 crores annually for maintenance of all roads in the State, PWD (R&B) minister, Y Vikheho Swu, expressed confidence that road conditions will be improved by next year with the introduction of Nagaland Road Maintenance Policy. PWD (R&B) minister, Y Vikheho Swu, said this at the inauguration of the Bailey Bridge spanning 60 feet over Khucho river connecting Satakha-Chishilimi under Pughoboto sub-division in Zunheboto district on October 29. While emphasising on the need for reformation in the functioning of system in the department, Swu especially suggested streamlining and management of labour deployment. He said structuring the deployment of Superintendent Engineers and labour management will be completed by next year, adding labourers of the department will be paid monthly salary basing on their performance. He also announced that Pughoboto sub-division will be having a full-fledged PWD (R&B) Executive Engineer office which will be inaugurated on November 16 as approved by the State Cabinet. With the declaration of five highways by the centre, Swu said five more highways have been agreed in principle connecting Showuba-Niuland- Ghatashi-Pughoboto-Zunheboto-Shamatore-Pangsha to be taken shortly for the economic uplift of the people.He said that Pughoboto sub-division being centrally located in the State, the people of the sub-division should work towards attaining economic uplift through the upcoming developmental activities. Clarifying on public accusation that there was no development in the State for past several years, he said Nagaland is suffering presently as the Central government had removed the special category status since 2014 because of which the special funding from Centre has been cut. In this regard, the minister emphasised on the need for the State to have its own revenue and appealed the people to sincerely pay electricity, water and other bills and taxes to the government so that proper development can be taken up. He advised the public to understand their responsibilities towards the functioning of the government. Stating that in the past government used to take huge amount of loan and created lots of debts, he however said the present government under TR Zeliang has not been taking any credit but trying to overcome the deficit. Meanwhile, Vikheho lauded concern of the two villages namely Khukiye-Lukhayi and Chishilimi in allowing the government in carrying forward development in the area without any hindrance. He also lauded the contractor M/S East West Construction, Dimapur, for completing the bridge in record time of 13 months even as the scheduled time was 36 months. He said three other bridges are being undertaken by other contractors in Satakha, Dimapur and Phek. Engineer-in-Chief, Khupi Natso, in brief address, lauded the minister for taking the initiative for all round infrastructure development in the constituency in particular and the district and State in general. He also asserted that Engineers of the department are fully behind him in carrying forward road projects in the state. He also requested the villagers to extend possible co-operation and support to him and Engineers to bring development. Goan Burah (GB) of Khukiye-Lukhayi village, Ghovito Zhimo, and GB of Chishilimi village, Yehezhe Achumi, extended gratitude to the minister and department officials for constructing the much needed bridge connecting the two villages. They expressed hope that the newly constructed Bailey bridge will help in enhancing the economic activities of the two villages. Chief Engineer PWD (R&B), K Rhetso, presented the technical report of the bridge. Chaired by SE-II Limanaro, pastor of Chisholimi Baptist Church Rev Heniton Sheqi offered the dedicatory prayer, while EE PWD (R&B), H Tokavi Chishi, tendered the vote of thanks.