[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was after several months I went down to Dimapur for a funeral on 02.02.2014. My hectic up and down bumpy journey on NH-29 kept me thinking why this National Highway road condition has to be like this. Again it was on 08.03.2014, I went to Peren for a site inspection with the School Education Division SDO who was incharge of the District. We were also to go to Dimapur for visiting a project. No wonder, the Belero got broke down halfway while on the way to Dimapur because of the bumpy road conditions. However, this time I returned with little relief, for on reaching Chumukedima area side, I could see some pre-mix carpeting newly been done. I thought reparing was coming up from Dimapur side towards Kohima, and hoped to see NH-29 fully repaired before the onset of monsoon. Such a reputed Central organization like BRO will never keep a National Highway like this; BRO will surely do it before monsoon, I thought.Again, I had to go down to Medziphema for a program on 22.04.2014. My God, no further improvement, And I had to travel the same old bumpy road NH-29. My hope of getting it repaired by BRO before onset of Monsoon was completely crushed as monsoon was not far away and it would take few months to repair atleast the worst portions.
The road NH-29 maintained by BRO is perhaps now every travelers curse. The stretch between Zubza and Piphema, and between Piphema and Pherima were the worst!
Why BRO had to be given another chance for maintenance of the NH-29 when we have enough local capable engineers and contractors who now have enough expertise and machineries. Let our own people who are equally capable or more capable of doing it do the job and earn. Take it over by own
PWD Department and man it with dedicated engineers for keeping it like a National Highway. As far as my engineering college days experience goes, we tribal people perform far better than others in practical classes and exams. We tribal and local engineers have better knowledge of our own soil condition. Take it over by State PWD Department and experiment it with our own competent and dedicated engineers and contractors. For taking it over, I have the following few suggestions:
1. No political interference in executing the works; or in award of contract and supply of materials.
2. No political interference in transfer & posting/appointment of staff or officers.
3. No tax or percentage or commission by any political group, engineers, bureaucrats or politicians.
4. No claim or contract work by public for being land owner but only to reputed and competent contractors.
I firmly believe that we can do it and we will do it if the above suggestions are taken into consideration. Policy makers should give a serious thought on it.
I remember when Shri. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India came to Nagaland in 2004; he took road journey form Dimapur to Kohima. While speaking to the people at Khuochieze (Kohima Local Ground), he commented, “I was told that this (NH-39, later named NH-29) was the best road in Nagaland. If this was the best road, I can imagine how best the worst is”. He went on the sanction Rs. 400 crores for 2-lanes National Highway. Ten years have passed, but the road conditions still remain the same; if not becoming worst.
Are those who are in power been sleeping?
I have had the privilege to travel to many parts of the country, but of all, NH-29 is the worst National Highway I have ever seen and travelled!
Er. Neisievilie Lhousa,
Merhülietsa, Kohima
