Kohima-Jessami road: NHIDCL passes buck to contractor

KOHIMA — Against the backdrop of public outcry—the latest one being from the PNPPhek unit of National People’s Party (NPP)—the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has issued a directive to Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt. Ltd, the EPC contractor responsible for Package 2 of the Kohima-Jessami road project, to immediately address ongoing safety and maintenance issues along the highway.

In a letter addressed to the contractor, the general manager (p) and linking officer of NHIDCL’s Project Management Unit (PMU) in Pfütsero, Gajendra Singh Rana, reprimanded the former for his failure to maintain the road “in a motor-able condition” during the construction period.

This failure, as per the letter, violates clause 10.4 of the contract agreement. Despite repeated instructions from the authority, it stated that no maintenance work has been carried out to ensure a safe and smooth passage for commuters.

It further emphasised the contractor’s obligation under clause 16.1.1 of the contract agreement to implement all necessary safety measures, including protecting road users during construction, in accordance with MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) specifications.

Safety instructions were stressed and outlined for the contractor: for adequate barricading to separate work zones from live traffic; proper warning and diversion boards at areas with significant level differences due to construction activities; display of cautionary signs, such as ‘go slow’ and ‘men at work’, at appropriate distances ahead of work zones and reflective tapes and advance warning signs at box culverts and blind curves; safety gear, including reflective jackets, helmets, and shoes, for all workers.

It also instructed for erection of rigid barricades with reflectives on valley sides of the road to ensure safe traffic movement.

The NHIDCL warned that any accidents or untoward incidents arising from the contractor’s negligence will result in strict action under the contractual provisions.

Furthermore, the contractor was instructed to take immediate corrective action to ensure both road safety and smooth traffic flow while construction continues. 

On October 9, the Phek unit of NPP listed the NHIDCL’s history of apathy and negligence to the people using the Kohima-Jessami road and demanded immediate termination of the contract with the “incompetent contractor”, call for a fresh tender, and commencement of road maintenance work immediately.

“Failure to comply will prompt us to take severe action through democratic protests, demonstrations or legal action against NHIDCL and the contractor. We will not hesitate to escalate this matter to ensure accountability for the suffering inflicted upon the people,” it had warned.

Read here: Kohima-Jessami road: Phek NPP slams NHIDCL, demands immediate actions