Nagaland minister of PWD (National Highways), Nuklutoshi, has sought to set the records straight regarding “some rumours” about the issue of NH-29, Kohima-Dimapur, under SARDP-NE Phase A (4 lane).
In a press release, the minister said that the work was allotted to ECI Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd and Gayatri Company under the supervision of National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
However, he claimed there was a “rumour” that the ECI Engineering & Construction Company Ltd. had sublet a portion of the work to some local Naga contractors under a MoU, which was initiated by the NHIDCL and some individuals.
The minister said it was learnt that some misunderstanding occurred between them leading to the cancellation of the MoU.
“All these developments have occurred without the knowledge of the concerned department and hence if any consequences arise, it will be solely the responsibility of the NHIDCL and the mentioned company,” Nuklutoshi said.
The minister directed that, hereafter, if any portion of works allotted were sublet to anyone else, it must be done after informing the Nagaland PWD (NH) and including the department as a witness in the MoU.
Moreover, the minister said there was another declaration of new national highways by NHIDCL connecting Ramani Ali in Simalguri upto Bihupar in the State of Assam going upto Mon in the State of Nagaland. He said this was also done without the concern or knowledge of the PWD (NH) Government of Nagaland.
Further, the minister clarified that there was an existing newly declared NH between the two states via Changtongya-Longleng-Aboi-Mon in Nagaland upto Namtola in Assam. “Therefore, the said declaration of new national highways by the NHIDCL is not in concurrence with the present existing one,” said minister PWD (NH).
Nuklutoshi said that, henceforth, according to protocol, any declaration of new highways or handing over of responsibility from PWD (NH) to NHIDCL or BRO and any kind of correspondence with the concerned department in Delhi must be done only through PWD (NH) and the minister concerned. Because, he said the technicality and knowhow of making new roads and maintaining the existing ones were solely the concerns of PWD (NH) and not any other individuals, or parties. In the event of anyone going ahead with the same practices as mentioned earlier without acknowledging the facts given and creating misunderstandings or problems in the execution of works in national highways, the minister cautioned that all the consequences will be borne by them.
NHIDCL, established in July 2014, is a fully owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways which aims to promote, survey, establish, design, build, operate, maintain and upgrade National Highways and Strategic Roads including interconnecting roads in parts of the country which share international boundaries with neighboring countries.