Fund crunch delays Old Dhansiri Bridge

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 1 (EMN): The construction work of RCC T-beam bridge over Dhansiri River, which connects Purana Bazaar and Super Market area in Dimapur, is on the verge of completion but non release of fund by the government is delaying the project, according to an official from Urban Development department.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the official informed that the double-lane bridge is almost completed and casting of concrete retaining wall towards Purana Bazaar is currently going on.

The official added that the only work left to be done after the completion of the retaining wall is blacktopping of the approach road at both ends which can be completed within a night or two. The only issue for the completion of the project is non release of INR 3.93 crore by the government.

It may be mentioned that project was proposed in 2008-2009 at a cost of INR 9.81 crore but was delayed over ownership claim by the Border Roads Organisation. Construction work resumed in 2016-2017 after the state government assured to bear the additional cost escalation amount of INR 3.93 crore.

The official informed that the Finance department had already issued planning and clearance order of the remaining amount (INR 3.93 crore) but the government is unable to release the fund “immediately”.

The Finance department has informed that the government would try to release the amount by March, the official said. Maintaining that the contractor is having a hard time as he had to continue the work from his own expenses, the source said that it will be difficult to complete the project unless the government releases the pending amount.

The department is dilemma as it cannot force the contractor to complete the work and the government does not fund for immediate release, added the official.

When asked about the land issue that surfaced recently, the official informed that it has been settled as it automatically falls under the right of way, adding that construction of retaining wall is in final stage and intermitted 5.5 metre road blacktopping will be done at both ends.

The project was granted to M/S Aien Enterprises, CL-1 360 NPW, Dimapur, Nagaland, and was stipulated to complete by March 2020.

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