After inordinate delays, the much awaited RCC bridge over Dhansiri river, near the government circuit house at Dimapur, was finally opened to traffic after its inauguration by state chief minister Neiphiu Rio on April 13,2021. The bridge has been constructed at the spot where, earlier, the pre-Second World War old Bailey bridge, connecting Purana Bazar with Walford/Naga Arcade was dismantled. The new RCC bridge with a total span of 322 feet and 12 meters in overall with of superstructure and 7.5 meters in width carriage way, was constructed at a total cost of Rs. Rs1374.85(as per the revised estimate). The work started on November 18,2009 but was halted on December 10,2010 on account of not having obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Eventually, after getting the nod in May 2014 the work restarted. In October 2015, according to the department, the contractor asked for price escalation since the work had been delayed for around five years. The department ultimately acceded to the demand for escalation from Rs.981.36 lakhs or Rs. 9.81 crore to Rs.1374.85 lakhs or Rs.13.74 crore. The figure reveals that there has been an overall 140% price escalation over the original estimate. As per the terms of the contract agreement, construction work for the RCC bridge was to have been completed within 24 months but it has taken 11 years. Why developmental projects in Nagaland have been delayed and why original estimates multiply by at least 100 percent or more is also a sad reflection of mismanagement or in other words, inefficiency and corruption. The chief minister, in his inaugural speech, lamented that it has taken 11-long years to complete the bridge and implied that it reflected the syndrome of delay in completion of developmental works in the state especially the roads which resulted in deplorable conditions. The chief minister also highlighted the other factor that has been hindering early completion of works- land acquisition in the face of obstruction from landowners. The inordinate delays in completion of project has led to cost overruns and added huge burden on the budget. Nagaland is the second oldest state in the north east when it became the 16th state under the Indian Union in 1963. Other states like Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh which became states after 1972 or ten years later, are way ahead in development. In the seventies, which saw significant development, despite the disturbed situation, the state’s bureaucracy exhibited remarkable grit and determination in steering the state to the path of meaningful progress. Presently, the bureaucracy has turned inwards and become self serving and lacking clear commitment and direction. Construction of infrastructure is needed for providing facilities to public and this can happen only if people also realise that they are obligated to facilitate progress by keeping the larger public interests over their own interests. It is only when basic infrastructures are established can Nagaland afford to plan an economic vision to link up with the government of India’s ‘Act East Policy.’ The state government has been trying to get investors from outside to do business in Nagaland but there were no takers. Having admitted the causes for development blockages, it is hoped the chief minister will apply the concerns for a review by a high power committee to correct the drift.
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