Slow progress of Sanuorü bridge works irks KVYO

To ban movement of BRO/BRTF, govt vehicles from Jan 29

Slow progress on construction of Sanuorü Bridge works along the road leading to new secretariat in Kohima has elicited resentment from the Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) Monday.

In this regard, KVYO said that from January 29 movement of BRO/BRTF and government vehicles will be restricted from High School Jn. via Sanuorü bridge to Nagaland Civil secretariat and Pezielietsie via DBS-Billy Graham road to Nagaland Civil secretariat. KVYO president Dziivinguzo Mepfhüo told the media persons that restriction would be enforced till the completion of the bridge. Mepfhüo informed that after the collapse of the bridge during 2015 monsoon the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) approved the bridge project under Central Road Fund (CRF) on December 29, 2015 and work order was issued on July 14, 2016. 

He said that an 18-month period was given for completion of the project, but it is still unfinished. 

Mepfhüo also said after KVYO submitted a representation to state chief minister on August 13, to repair roads in the state capital as well as to start the Sanuorü bridge construction , the department started to repair some roads in Kohima, but failed to start the bridge works. 

He said KVYO had to serve an ultimatum on the department on October 16 2018 and work ultimately commenced on October 29, 2018 with the commitment by contractors that the 2-lane bridge work would be completed before the monsoon 2019. 

Mepfhüo said that department had also issued notification and served reminder to the contractor four times (January 2017, September 2017, January 2018 and April 2018) to execute the work.

Thereafter, he said AG had given remark for cancellation of the work order following the expiry of the first work order. However, he said the PWD (R&B) ignored it and instead, another 24 months was extended.

He said another work order of 24 months extension also expired on January 14, 2020. 

He said since the KVYO has now lost patience it was compelled to take its course of action by restricting plying of BRO and government registered vehicles. He, however, said that police/para military and any emergency service were exempted.

KVYO warned that any BRO/BRTF and government registered vehicle plying on the mentioned routes would be doing so at their own risk and KVYO would not be held responsible for any untoward incidents. KVYO, however reassured that it would not , in any manner, obstruct the ongoing work of the project.