A Staff Reporter | EMN
DIMAPUR, AUG 1
The public ire over bad roads has finally hit home. But like most issues recently in public domain in the state even “bad roads” are also the product of misused responsibility. This morning the State Home Commissioner and Secretary of Work and Housing, Temjen Toy convened a co ordination meeting attended by the Chief Engineer of PWD Road and Bridges, D. Mero and the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Hushili Sema, with the village authorities at Niathu Resort.The Home Commissioner Temjen Toy was not sparing in his remarks on the issue.
He did not deny anomalies in the functioning of the department but stated that the perfunctory attitude of engineers and officials and their sedentary disposition is also equally to blame for the disrepair of the roads in Dimapur. He suggested that department officials should conduct timely inspection and also take stock of the public grievance.
Contractors were also not spared by the Home Commissioner who pointed out the sub standard workmanship in implementation of the works. While agreeing with the predicament of the contractors who sited expenses on cuts and commissions from various agencies as affecting the quality of works the Home Commissioner said this could not be an excuse for not maintaining minimum standards.
In a power point presentation the Home Commissioner also pointed to the lack of civic sense amongst the public which aggravates the degradation of roads. Encroachment, blocked drainages and washing of vehicle on road sides were some of these activities.
The village heads blamed the random issuance of land patta without proper verification by the district administration is a cause leading to encroachment of public land in which individuals have constructed houses blocking the drainage.
Stating that one single individual cannot take the whole public into ransom, the public have appealed to the administration to cancel those land pattas which were issued within the public area.
Also addressing the gathering, Chief Engineer Peter Solo said that the State government has proposed to construct a service lane along NH 29.
The service lane would assist in maintaining proper traffic rules and avoid accidents.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, has appealed to all concerned to render cooperation with the government in the event of construction of service lane and other development works.
In a welcoming news, Border Road Organisation (BRO) has assured to construct resurfacing of road from Purana Bazaar to Kukidolung. It was informed that fund allocation has been approved for the road work and likely to take off after the monsoon season.
Village council representatives from Purana Bazaar to Diphupar attended the coordination meet.
