Nagaland: RPP files complaint against NHIDCL and others

DIMAPUR — Rising People’s Party (RPP) has filed a complaint against the executive director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), contractors and sub-contractors, consultancy firm, Nagaland PWD and all parties involved in the 4-laning project of NH-29 Dimapur-Kohima road for the alleged negligence and dereliction of duties resulting in the death of two persons and causing serious injuries to others on July 4 at New Chümoukedima (Pakala Pahar).

In a complaint letter submitted to the office in-charge of Chümoukedima Police Station, RPP has termed the accident as man-made disaster and claimed that NHIDCL and others involved in the projects are responsible for the accident.

To substantiate it claim, RPP has referred to the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) vide its letter dated September 25, 2020, and subsequent letter dated February 4, 2023, wherein it has directed the NHIDCL to refrain from the use of dynamites for blasting of rocks in the ‘Pakala Pahar’ area under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 for fear of destruction of environment, injury to travelers and damage to vehicles. RPP, however, stated that dynamite was extensively used undermining the directives of the NPCB.

Read: Rockslide causes: Rains, rock type and human interference

RPP stated that many civil society organisations had also warned about the impending danger of accidents and had even send out several representations to the concerned authorities. Some of the concerns expressed included nominal earth cutting works and no slope or step cutting etc. RPP alleged that NHIDCL and other parties took up no corrective measures.

RPP has also referred to the survey report conducted by the deputy commissioner of Chümoukedima following its spot verification dated March 25, 2023, which submitted to the general manager of NHIDCL. It has pointed out various anomalies in the Dimapur to Kohima NH-29 road construction such as use of sub-standard construction materials, poor engineering and workmanship, lack of prudent and sincere monitoring of work among many others. The DC, in its letter, had also requested the NHIDCL to review and verify to ascertain whether the road was constructed as per approved plan.

Even though many lives had been lost in the same stretch on series of accidents, RPP alleged that no corrective measures were adopted. It has pointed to faulty construction method and poor maintenance of road for the repetitive occurrence of accidents.

With no safety infrastructure in many places, RPP stated that danger continues to loom large with the exposed and unsettled rocks and multiple visible cracks on its layers above along the stretch.

Another potential disaster waiting to happen, according to RPP, is the two vertical cliff of 90 degree earth-cutting between Jharnapani and Ghaspani.

Taking into considerations the above stated points, RPP has requested the office in-charge of Chümoukedima Police Station to register the case for negligence and dereliction of duties and investigate those responsible for the lapse of work so that justice is delivered to the people.

The complaint was appended jointly by RPP president, Joel Naga; vice president, Vitho Zao; general secretary, Amai Chingkhu; and secretary (admn), Lhikhro Kreo.