Z. Lohe
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hy do I waste my time to write personal opinions and comments on welfare issues? Is it an attempt to gain cheap popularity out of such writings? What do I gain in hurting the sentiment of someone? Why should I irk others and make myself odd figure before them? Is there any dearth of thinkers and better writers in Naga society? Will I become the soft target for speaking the truth? These are self posed questions.
Nevertheless, I have genuine concern for our society as anyone of you although my contribution to it is nil. Since I cannot contribute, I like those people who are in a position to make positive contribution to become more serious in their attempts than casual. The writes up is nothing less than motivation and challenge as I want to get things done by them. I do try to give short items periodically along with few other writers as we have positive thinking, it should therefore never be construed as negative. To get maximum service from those who are governing, the opposition party should have efficiently placed the ministry on tender hook all the time. Unfortunately, the ruling party in our State is too comfortable to become humble as observed. It is also observed that many of the leaders are allergic to criticisms as though elected not to be blamed since they have not faced capable opposition functioning in their life. In this situation the looser is the public.As seen in the local papers, the two MPs from Nagaland have urged the Union Minister for Transport to address the road project of Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane National Highway. The proposed highway of 4-lane is our dream project. As our memories are still very fresh about the promise of the then PM of India Vajpayi who granted Rs. 400 crore for the 4-lanes during his visit to Kohima in 2003. However, our State Govt. failed to pursue it on time like chewing half-cooked cow’s tendon.
The North East Regional Parties Forum (NERPF) was formed solely at the initiatives of NPF of Nagaland under the leadership of former Chief Minister N.Rio who is exclusively responsible to take the likeminded regional parties in NE closer to BJP and to be part and parcel of NDA. The affiliation of DAN to BJP was affirmed and reaffirmed after the formation of Modi’s ministry more than what is required. Hopefully BJP will show its sympathy to the plight of NPF and other partners as each of them is struggling to prove its closeness and loyalty to BJP. Therefore, this is the best opportunity for the two MPs backed up by DAN which is almost painted saffron now(as watching on the gallery) to urge the Union Govt. to take up this 4-lane road which will be the first of its kind in Nagaland.
Expecting that the project will get through, it is good to remind all concern, in the best interest of the project, what will happen when the fund for the project is granted. Quoting personal experience of how the four 2-lane roads, namely, Chakhabama- Zunheboto road, Pfutsero-Phek road, Changtonya-Longleng road and Merangkong-Tamlu-Mon road constructions were managed by State Govt. some two years ago. Many people remember well how the first instalment to the tune of Rs.1300 crores for these four roads was spent.
To the extent I know how several authorities and busybodies tried to father the whole exercise of its implementation of these four projects. The moment the finalisation of the global tender was disclosed, lot of interested parties sprung into action. Several parties went down to Hyderabad to tie up with Maytas-Gayatri and the sub-contractor Ratnas. The sole purpose of those individuals and groups (some befriended with the contractors and some intimidated them) is to extract money as substantial as possible. When the contractors landed in Nagaland and got down to work more ‘authorities’ intervened. Though I did not know the reason, one or two persons from Hyderabad were intimidated and beaten up at Kohima and the victim/s had to evacuate. There was hardly anyone or any public organization to lend them protection and cooperation. For Pfutsero-Phek Road, Centre Chakhesang Public Organisation(CCPO) gave its best cooperation because the people wanted road. The anti-social elements seized keys of machineries at Chakhabama not less than three times and I had to intervene and sought Police intervention and retrieved the keys.
Simultaneously, many of those who considered themselves to be prominent and leaders in society pestered the contractors with endless demands both by fair means and unfair means. From those quarters who supposed to give protection to contractors exploited them. Huge demands came from factions. I did not know how the company disposed cases of demands since I did not try to know. The only thing I know is that the company had to shift their place of stay at Kohima twice for safety measure.
Watching over the above mentioned powerful big shots with serpent mouth, groups and individuals posing as indispensables and playing its best roles in quest for undeserved gain is like viewing African Wildlife Century from National Geographic or Discovery channel that wild and ferocious animals fight over a meek and harmless prey or vultures fight over the carcass of a dead animal. The company is found to have deficiencies indeed, but we the locals are found more wanted. All these factors placed the four projects in dire strait as uncertainties are above certainties now.
Now, if BJP agrees to take up the 4-lane road as pursued by the MPs and as other roads are in the offing, I am apprehensive that it may too go through the same process of severe screening of squeeze. If so, it will become namesake 4-lane road, its construction quality compromised, bigger chunk of fund provided will be spent on compensations of all kind like Doyang NEPCO HP, the aforementioned elements will not allow the project to take off unless they are pleased first and the completion will be delayed or it may never happen during BJP’s time.
Only talking about Dimapur-Kohima 4-lane road for 12 years running is becoming more amusing. I hope the 4-lane will not become a good joke.
