In the aftermath of the July 4 rockslide incident near old Chümoukedima check gate, where two persons were killed after rocks that hurtled from the cliff crushed the cars they were travelling in, also seriously injuring two others; the implementing agency- the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) termed the incident simply as “ a natural calamity”. Later, after a joint meeting of the PWD (NH), NHIDCL, BRO and contractors at Police Complex on July 11, deputy chief minister T.R.Zeliang was unequivocal that the incident was “unfortunate for all” but at the same time, maintained that everyone should admit and accept it(the incident) as a “natural calamity”. However, what is uppermost in people’s minds was why it happened and who was to blame? True, a road accident may be simply described a tragedy as it doesn’t answer the question as to why it happened and who was responsible ?NHIDCL blamed the state government for not providing required land for road construction. In this, the deputy chief minister at his press briefing said the government cannot be faulted for the “calamity”. The plea that the state government cannot exercise its prerogative over safety etc since NHIDCL is under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway(MoRTH) does not hold water. In the case with the July 4 rockslide incident, simply by terming it as a “natural calamity” does not absolve those involved with responsibility . It may also be noted that on the day of the incident, a letter addressed to NHIDCL from the Nagaland Pollution Control Board(NPCB) went viral on social media. In the letter, NPCB had red flagged the indiscriminate use of dynamite for rock blasting as it is prohibited under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 for fear of destruction of environment, injury to travelers and damage to vehicles. On July 8 Rising People’s Party(RPP) informed that it had filed an FIR against the executive director of NHIDCL, contractors and sub-contractors, the consultancy firm, the state PWD and others involved in the construction of the four-lane on NH 29. In a press statement, RPP claimed that several civil society organizations had forewarned NHIDCL about potential of impending disaster at the stretch by pointing out that the roadside cliffs were cut into slopes with nominal cutting instead of bench cutting. RPP claimed NHIDCL did not take these concerns for corrective measures. Further, RPP claimed that Deputy Commissioner Chümoukedima on March 25, 2023 had pointed out to NHIDCL on use of sub-standard construction materials, poor engineering and workmanship including lack of prudent and sincere monitoring of work etc. RPP also disclosed that the DC had also asked NHIDCL to review and verify if construction work was being done as per approved plan and specification etc. In a damning statement, RPP said on July 6, two days after the incident, the DC had stated that NHIDCL’s claim that the incident occurred due to “natural calamity” was not accurate and therefore alleged malafide intention on the part of NHIDCL. RPP also warned about another potential danger at the site between Jharnapani and Medziphema where the slope of the cliff was at 90º. As the earth cutting of cliffs included dynamiting rocks, RPP warned that further tragedy awaits as unsettled rocks show multiple cracks on layers along the stretch.
RELATED POSTS
View all
