Village council to monitor quality of work on roads

Dimapur, Oct. 10 (EMN): The Lhisemia Council in Kohima village has cautioned government departments and ‘intending’ contractors that the council will be closely monitoring the quality of the road-improvement works in Kohima. The council stated that the Billy Graham road, Bayavu Circular road, and Tanquist road besides those within Kohima village, were a priority. According to a press release from the council on Monday, the council has learned that the ‘blacktopping work on Billy Graham road was made through a contract in 2017 but due to the inferior workmanship and failure to construct proper drainage, the road was damaged within a short time notwithstanding even a single monsoon. “Therefore, the council resolved on this day that it shall closely monitor any upcoming developmental work under its jurisdiction to ensure better quality control by the contractors to whom, such works may be allotted by departments and any other developmental agency,” the updates stated. In the statement, the Lhisemia Council assured their cooperation and support to the department and contractors during the road improvement work. However, the community leaders iterated that they shall not allow substandard work within their jurisdiction. If any such instances are found, the council stated, the contractors will be doing so at own risk which may even result in a ‘demand’ for immediate cancellation of work orders. The council has appealed to the contractors and department officials to ensure best work and quality in all the roads listed for improvement in the tender notice. Angami Youth Organisation The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has also issued a statement highlighting a similar sentiment concerning the quality of work. The AYO referred to the contractors of the four-lane road in the Nagaland sector to expedite the work at the earliest. “We express our intense displeasure at the inactive and irresponsible nature of the contactors constructing the Asian highway-1 (National Highway 29, Kohima-Dimapur), on the ongoing four-lane road (Nagaland sector),” the AYO stated in its press release. “It is a fact that the durable period for construction of road in Nagaland is about 6 (six) months only before the monsoon sets in. And the pace at which the works are ca-tied out are too slow which clearly shows the insincerity of the contractors as well as the workers in executing the work. Till date the public had extended all possible support and cooperation towards the contractors for smooth execution of the work reposing our trust to the firms to complete the works within the stipulated time as per specification without compromising work quality.” The AYO stated that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (NHIDCL) executive director had assured that the project would be completed by the end of 2019 and accordingly specific instruction have been given to the contractors on several occasions. “However, it is humorous and unthinkable that the work can be accomplished within the stipulated time if the work continues at this pace. Therefore, we demand the contracting agency to immediately activate all its assets and manpower to deliver the work,” the press release stated. “The agency is cautioned not shy away by giving lame excuses and pretext to evade from her responsibility.”