Nagaland: Khaghaboto GBs seek urgent action for bridge construction

Our Reporter

Dimapur, Oct. 22 (EMN): The Khaghaboto Tokukujo Kukami Kukhakulu (KTKK)—Khaghaboto area GBs association—has demanded the government to immediately provide an expert to inspect the deteriorating condition of the foundation of Shozukhu-Zukihe Bridge.

This was informed through a statement issued after a meeting organised by the KTKK on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the KTKK said that the work was awarded to M/s Pabscon back in 2005, which was stipulated to be completed within 24 months; but the work was abandoned due to an issue arising between the department of Roads and Bridges (R&B) and Pabscon.

It was informed that on April 17, 2017, the president of KTKK wrote to R&B appealing to sort out the differences between the two parties within 15 days. “But despite our request it fell on deaf ears,” they said.

The last statement to the department was issued on May 22, 2017, stating that even after the expiry of the 15 days ultimatum, neither the department nor the contractor had responded to the demand of the association.

The GB association, with the support of the public, decided to immediately initiate the resumption of the construction work with their own resources and started the construction of the abandoned Shozukhu-Zukihe bridge as it is the lifeline of not only Sumi villages but also to other villages— especially during Assam bandh.

Furthermore, the association mentioned that they have erected the last pillar of the bridge and even constructed part of the deck bridge, which cost around INR 80-90 lakh.

“Fortunately the contractor and the department have sorted out the differences and the department has consulted the association,” they informed.

On October 22, the officials from the department inspected the bridge.

According to the KTKK, officials from the department said that unless ‘an expert from Delhi’ comes and makes a thorough analysis of the deteriorating condition of the foundation of the bridge, the department cannot give the green signal for further construction.

A miffed KTKK said that if the government or the department fails to respond to its demand, the latter will be fully responsible for any untoward incident involving the bridge.