Nagaland government has come under severe criticism for the collapse of the RCC steel girder bridge on Tuesday killing four persons and injuring several others at 4th mile area, Dimapur.
Various civil society organizations (CSOs) including political parties have blamed the government for the negligence that led to the unfortunate incident, while some have also served ultimatum, demanding immediate resignation of the R&B minister and to initiate thorough probe into the incident.
WSH: Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has demanded immediate resignation of PWD (R&B) minister, Y Vikheho Swu, on moral grounds for the collapse of Bridge near CIHSR (Referral Hospital), which led to the loss of lives and scores injured. In a press release, WSH president, Zheshito Swu, and general secretary, Vikato A Achumi, said this was decided at an emergency meeting with its frontal organisations on July 12, 2017 at its office, Chekiye.
WSH pointed out that the bridge that served as lifeline of more than 120 villages has now collapsed “due to the minister’s negligence.” WSH asserted that if the minister had any iota of conscience or regret he should resign at once.
Hoho maintained that no amount of justification would make up for “his misdeed and misappropriation of the amount sanctioned for the bridge to let him hold the office anymore.”
Further, WSH also demanded an answer from the R&B minister on the amount of Rs.37 crore sanctioned in the year 2015 for the construction and queried why has not the work started till date. WSH has demanded the police to start initiating an action against those responsible for the negligence of duty and for the misappropriation of funds.
WSH also cautioned the engineers and contractors that it would not hesitate to resort to its own course of action if Seithekima-Patkai road was not repaired immediately for the public and ensure that quality work was carried out with good workmanship.
Expressing condolences over the loss of four lives, the WSH demanded immediate compensation to the deceased families and those injured in the accident.
Meanwhile, the hoho also demanded that the parliamentary secretary Irrigation & Flood Control, Jacob Zhimomi, immediately intervene and look into the plight of the villages of Yeveto, Hakhizhe, Kiyezu, Hetoi and Zuheshe, which have been submerged by the waters of Zubza river. WSH said that paddy fields, plantations and many other properties have been damaged in those villages. “The affected villages lie under his constituency for which he is responsible and accountable,” WSH said.
Hoho also said that the parliamentary secretary had made “some tall promises” and assured to build good flood control measures, but did not match up with his words.
WSH demanded that a proper compensation be paid for the properties damaged by the flood. It said that the unfortunate villagers have to undergo through such hard times every monsoon due to the absence of proper flood control measures.
Further, the WSH has also asked its elected representatives to be responsible towards the electorates as they have been elected by the people to do their duties.
Meanwhile, the hoho underscored that one should not hold a portfolio if one was not capable of holding the responsibility. It said that mere holding of a portfolio and shrugging off the responsibility bestowed on them have only brought disgrace to the community and misery on people.
WSKH: Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) has blamed the PWD (R&B) department for the 4th Mile bridge incident and served a 15-day ultimatum demanding the R&B minister to step down owning moral responsibility for the incident, to pay all compensation and to start the construction work of the new bridge
Failing which the hoho said it would resort to its own course of action.
In a statement, WSKH S. Vihuto Yepthomi stated that the department was fully aware of the condition of the bridge, which is a lifeline to more than 100 villages, but failed to take any measure to prevent the incident.
Earlier, WSKH said its officials met the R&B minister and apprised him about the importance of the bridge and also the condition of the bridge. When the minister visited the bridge along with district administration in 2015, the hoho had also submitted a memorandum at that time, WSKH stated.
The hoho said the negligence of the department had resulted in the loss of lives and for which it has asked the department to compensate for the loss of lives, the injured and the vehicles damaged in the accident.
The hoho officials, who had visited the site of collapsed bridge on Wednesday, maintained that they were aware of how much money was already sanctioned for the construction of the new bridge. WSKH said whatever little construction material was dumped recently near the bridge was only for show.
Meanwhile, irked by the problems faced by villagers of Yeveto and Hakhizhe village due to rising of Zubza river, the WSKH said it was also dismayed with parliamentary secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control, Jacob Zhimomi for neglecting his constituency.
WSKH said that Jacob cannot call himself to be representing the people when he has not done anything for the public of the constituency. The hoho said more villages were likely to be affected if precautionary measures were not taken immediately. WSKH in this regard requested the prompt intervention of the concerned department to help the effected villagers.
CNTC: Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded for a thorough probe into the collapse of the 4th mile bridge along the Niuland road in which four lives were lost and many injured and a befitting action against on all those responsible.
CNTC through its media cell questioned the government as to where the amount of Rs. 37.66 crores sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under Project Zone-8 on July 28, 2015 for the construction of a new bridge disappeared.
It also demanded to know why the construction of the new bridge failed to commence even after lapse of two years. It said mere owing of responsibility in the media was not sufficient enough.
CNTC said the works which were supposed to begin within a period of four months after the amount was sanctioned and completed within twenty-four months had never started. It also pointed out that Rs. 49 lakhs was sanctioned to repair the columns of the bridge, which was never carried out.
CNTC warned of initiating own course of action, unless an emergency bridge for commuters is provided immediately
The council also advised the public to be aware of their rights and to keep themselves updated on the funds allotted in their respective areas and jurisdictions for their utility and welfare and to keep tab on public properties.
Further, CNTC has asked the elected representatives to be fully responsible for their actions and their respective portfolios.
Meanwhile, CNTC has asked the CNTC legislators “not to take charge of those portfolios if they are not capable enough to take the responsibility.”
It also demanded for immediate compensation for the loss of lives and to those injured in the bridge collapse.
NTC: Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) while expressing shock and grief over the tragedy of the bridge collapse, that resulted in the death of four persons and injury to five others, demanded the government to initiate thorough and urgent probe into the incident and book those responsible for the loss of lives.
NTC through its media cell said that on perusal of the records, it was learnt that the administrative inspection on June 2015 had detected defect of the RCC girder bridge over Chathe River. Road & Bridges department had also verified and declared the instability of the bridge and later the district administration ordered immediate closure of the bridge, it said.
Despite of the official warning, NTC said the bridge in question was reopened which resulted in the preventable tragedy.
Taking cognizance of the unstable condition of the bridge, NTC said the state PWD sought for fund for construction of new RCC girder bridge. Accordingly, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sanctioned Rs. 37.66 crores on July 28, 2015 and ordered the state department to complete the construction within 24 months, NTC said.
However, there was no sign work being carried and the consequence of the neglect was the loss of precious lives and the unbearable hardships to be faced by the public from the nearby villages.
Interestingly, NTC claimed that the state PWD (R&B), during past 11 months with effect from May 6, 2016 till March 31, 2017 had drawn 62 payments under demand No. 58, totaling to a whopping amount of Rs. 342 crores 22 lakhs and eight thousands.
Despite all this, NTC said Nagaland is faced with the worst road condition in the history of the state, and for which the minister in charge was answerable to all the above questions.
It said “when the public in Nagaland has been facing immense hardship and challenges every day due to the absence of basic amenities and infra-structures, the MLAs were enjoying feasting and merry making at Kaziranga leaving their citizens to face death in the trap set by their Govt. is highly condemnable.”
NTC has asked the government to take the recent incident as the wakeup call and to become more responsible for the welfare of the people.
Meanwhile, the council also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to the injured persons.