Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) committee on 2-lane road has expressed concern that the road work under Package-II was slow, reportedly due to hindrances by locals at several locations.
In this regard, the committee convenor Vaprumu Demo and member secretary Wepe Mekrisuh urged respective village/town authorities and administration to sincerely address the issue at the earliest and enable the contractor to speed up work so that the project was completed within the stipulated time. Any kind of road obstruction should not be allowed by local authorities, they said.
While expressing gratitude to deputy commissioner Phek for initiating joint inspection to review progress of work on Chakhabama-Zunheboto and Phek-Pfutsero roads on November 25 and 26 respectively along with EAC Chetheba, EAC Sekruzu, SDO (C) Phek, SDO (C) Pfutsero, representatives of NHIDCL (Chozuba sector), GM Shivalaya, Madhucon, KKB, CPO Committee, CRPO, CCPO, Pfutsero-Phek Youth Front and village/town authorities concerned, the committee noted that Shivalaya had successfully completed the portion in Package-I within time. Though some work remained, this was expected to be completed soon, it said.
Under Package-III (Madhucon portion), they said some surface cutting work was still left and black topping was yet to be done. They urged Madhucon Projects Ltd to initiate the pending work by utilising the work season.
They further expressed concern that contract between Shivalaya and the government will expire on May 31, 2022, while insisting that the requisite clearance for work in obstructed area (specially in Package-II) should be given latest by December 31, 2021 failing which, they feared that the contractor might abandon those obstructed portion.
According to the committee, the work was almost complete from Phek to Pfutsero with little remaining work at few locations. They appreciated Madhucon Projects Ltd and KKB for having completed the project in time. Referring to the concern expressed by public, specially by PP Youth Front, over the quality of black topping done by Madhucon and KKB on Phek-Pfutsero road, they said no one was expecting that black topping would sink, develop crack or pill out just a few months after completion of the work.
Secondly, due to loose and unsettled soil from Phek to Khomi and even beyond, they pointed out that protective/breast/retaining wall all along the hillside was inevitable to sustain the road and prevent future damage. As this demanded extraordinary measures, they said all the inspection team members agreed to request National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd to consider and provide this provision at the earliest.
During the inspection, they claimed that they had noted few discrepancies due to communication gap and misapprehension from either side of stakeholders. In order to rectify or address those pending issues without further delay, they said the committee would submit a detailed inspection report to authorities concerned for necessary and timely action.
Meanwhile, the committee appealed to local authorities to uphold their constitutional responsibility and ensure that no member/party was allowed to block/obstruct ongoing work anywhere or succumb to the force of the obstructionist. Grievances should be addressed at appropriate levels, but they should not become an obstruction to public welfare, they stressed.