Kikruma Village Council upset over suspension of Kohima-Jessami road

DIMAPUR — The Kikruma Village Council (KVC) has expressed dismay over the suspension of Kohima-Jessami two-lane road construction work with hard shoulder on NH-29 from Km 30.474 (near Kigwema road Chakabama) to Km 53.220 (near Kikruma village) (design Km 29.600 to Km 51.5)- Length 21.900 Km under Bharatmala Pariyojana on EPC mode (Package-II).

In a letter addressed to the general manager of PMU-Pfutsero, the village council said the “termination of the contractor and decision to completely halt construction works at the onset of monsoon” has left the public worried as the region is landslide-prone.

“We understand that this could lead to prolonged delays and disruption of connectivity, causing significant dislocation and hardship to our residents,” read the letter.

“We are also aware that construction on Kohima-Jessami Package-V has been terminated, and we understand from newspaper reports that the locals have hit the streets and are protesting. With the suspension of works in package II, we are afraid the entire highway construction works have come to a grinding halt, and this will result in a complete dislocation and derailment of connectivity between Kezo Town-Kikruma connecting Pfutsero Town, potentially leading to large-scale unrest and unhappiness amongst the population in the service area of this highway project,” it added.

It also said that halting of road construction work will affect the mobility of people, agricultural produce, and merchandise.

“Moreover, we have learned that NHIDCL has terminated the agreement of the construction contractor of M/s. KCPL and instructed KCPL to stop the construction work abruptly. It may not be out of place to mention that with the suspension of the highway construction works, even regular maintenance works have come to a standstill, which could lead to significant health and safety concerns, particularly in light of the impending monsoon season,” it said.

The KVC, therefore, urged those responsible for execution of the project to resume construction and maintenance works before the onset of monsoon to prevent possible inconvenience to the public like in the past where landslides created havoc among the commuters.