Dimapur-Kohima 2-lane road to be completed soon, 4-lane by March; contractors fined INR 1 crore

Dimapur, Dec. 2 (EMN): Construction firms M/s Ramky–ECI (JV) and M/s Gayatri Projects Ltd. have assured to complete the blacktopping of Dimapur-Kohima two-lane road by December 15 and the four-lane road by March 31, 2021.

This was conveyed to the state’s lone Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi by the Union minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

An update from Yepthomi stated that as on November 4, package I by M/s Ramky–ECI (JV) has completed 70.76%, while package II by M/s Ramky–ECI (JV) has also completed 79.64% and package III by M/s Gayatri Projects Ltd. has completed 66.11% of Dimapur–Kohima road.

Yepthomi stated that the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) has taken into account the sudden onset of Covid-19 which hampered the progress of road construction works. Nevertheless, taking serious view for delay in the project, he stated that NHIDCL has imposed a non-refundable penalty of INR 1 crore each on the three packages being executed by the contractors. He added that notice for imposition of further penalty has also been served to the contractors, if they fail to achieve the target within the stipulated period.

Yepthomi also stated that the managing director of NHIDCL had a meeting with top management of both M/s Ramky-ECI (JV) and Gayatri Projects Limited, wherein they were explicitly told that proceedings for termination of contract could be initiated if they are not able to meet the targets as stipulated by NHIDCL.

Stating that the Union minister has always been very considered and prompt to the problems faced by the state, Yepthomi appealed to the citizens to extend all support and co-operation in all areas of human and infrastructural development for the state to be in tandem with the progress of the country.