Reacting to ACAUT allegations with regard to Pokhungri-Avakhung road project, the PWD (R&B) Phek division termed as “technically without substance and uncalled for” the ACAUT demand for blacklisting M/s Viu Angami & Sons, the firm that was awarded the project.
In a press release, PWD (R&B) Phek division executive engineer (EE) Abija Khing said the particular project has been one of the most challenging projects and for which department took up the challenge head on to make the road through with full cooperation and commitment of the contractor.
Khing said the project was initially sanctioned for an amount of Rs.1042 lakh for 18.49km by NEC during 2005-06 and the work was allotted to M/S Nagaland Builders Pvt. Ltd. However, after encountering rocky portions, EE said the contractor could not proceed further owing to the extremely difficult unforeseen working conditions for which the firm was ill-equipped to handle and ultimately had to surrender the work order.
Thereafter, EE said the project remained dormant for the next four years in spite of the best efforts of the department to continue with the works.
Realizing the importance of the road, he said the state government through the active initiation of the then development commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir and the then commissioner & secretary works and housing, Temjen Toy, could convince the ministry to agree to a revised DPR amounting to Rs.2339 lakh as per NPWD SOR 2010 during 2011-12.
EE said the work was then allotted to M/S Viu Angami & Sons vide W/O No.CE(R&B)/TB/NEC-10th/PUK-AVANKHU(Pt-1)/2004-05 Dated 17th December 2012 (minus the quantum and value of work already executed by M/S Nagaland Builders).
He said the firm was capable and fully equipped to execute the works successfully which involved blasting of hard rock of huge magnitudes in extremely hostile working conditions.Further, EE said allegation that the project was deliberately stalled and delayed to revise the cost of the project was also uncalled for.
Acknowledging that the project was running behind schedule, EE, however, pointed out that during the course of execution, un-anticipated hard rock requiring blasting was encountered at many locations, which was overlooked during the preparation of DPR due to the extremely inaccessible steep terrain along the alignment and also the deceptive soil strata.
Further, EE said the sanctioned length of the project was for 18.49 Kms only. However, Khing said M/S ViuAngami& Sons has constructed over 24km to connect the ITC Avakhung (located on the 13th Km) till beyond the Indo-Myanmar International boundary so as to fulfill the intention and purpose of this all important project i.e. to open up trade and commerce related activities between India and Myanmar.
EE also said that whether the road seemed barely visible could be best judged and testified by the local inhabitants who were witness to the progress and hardships faced by the executing agency. Besides, EE said that trading activities were now taking place between India and Myanmar after connecting the two countries through this project.
Appreciating the effort put in by M/S Viu Angami & Sons towards this project, PWD(R&B) Phek division said “it is an irony that we tend to discourage and demoralize performing firms rather than appreciate and encourage wherever due.”
The department has appealed to concerned public to render cooperation and moral support for the success and smooth implementation of all projects.