[dropcap]O[/dropcap]f late, many issues have been making the headlines. Various concerned organisations and even individuals have expressed their views on the pros and cons regarding one or the other. This is very much an encouraging sign as people are asserting their awareness of the events and things and situations that revolve around us including stumbling over potholes.However, here we would like to dwell on an equally important aspect—issues of proposed four-lane highway from Dimapur to Kohima and onwards, four-lane foothill road from Dimapur to Tizit via Wokha district. Plus other state highways/roads. For, communication is a very important aspect on the road to development and progress.
The much hyped four-lane highway from Chakhabama to Zunheboto started amidst much fanfare but now the sliced hillsides look barren even from Kohima and sure is dusty or soggy according to the weather. The contractor concerned, namely Maytas-Gayatri JV, a reputedly national company, was awarded the contract to undertake construction, improvements of the major roads within Nagaland.
The question here arises as to who, or who all, gave the nod to this company? By the time, Maytas-Gayatri JV (Joint Venture) had intruded into Nagaland, it had already acquired a controversial, and questionable, reputation in its former avatar on the national scene, namely, Satyam, which if spelt backwards, reads as Maytas. The head figure of both is one and the same.
The deafening silence on the condition and status of the dubious Special Accelerated Road Development Program-North-East (SARDP N-E) has just been shattered. Both the Nagaland government’s National Highway (NH) department and Maytas-Gayatri JV are blaming each other in public over the status of Longleng-Changtongya road, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road. Phek-Pfutsero road and Chakhabama-Zunheboto road under phase ‘A’ of the SARDP-NE.
The contracting company had stopped the works on the grounds of non-payment of bills on all the roads mentioned. Besides, with overheads and extended time, the overall bill has increased about three times the original amount.
In such an impasse, both parties can be said to be at fault. Surely, the authorities concerned in the National Highway department were aware of the contracting company’s reputation? The latter had even tried to sub-let some contract works to local contractors at pitiable rates which were refused. Did Maytas-Gayatri JV really think that ours is a land of the gullible? What a shame!
Regarding the proposed 250 km foothill road plus connectivity links, the Nagaland Foothill Road Construction Committee (NFRCC) had assured full cooperation and that no land compensation would have to be paid by the government. This project is to commence from October. Instead of mooting four-lane highway or even four-lane foothill road, and other high-sounding projects, perhaps it would be more practical, and beneficial, if the department concerned would first concentrate on filling up the potholes on our one and a half State highways and the roads and streets of the towns and semi-urban areas. Plus it should ensure proper and regular maintenance.
Why spend colossal amounts to non-local companies when we have adequately qualified contractors right at home? The excess expenditure which would otherwise be certainly wasted due to human frailties would then be averted and keep the general public satisfied.
