EMN
Dimapur, October 9
The Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU) has reiterated their demand for cancellation of work issued to the tainted construction company Maytas Gayatri Joint Venture which abandoned a major highway development work that was allotted to it by the government of Nagaland. The NCSU iterated to governor of Nagaland the need for immediate cancellation of the work order to the company so that redress and work on the affected road can begin to mitigate the plight of the local people.
Twelve members of the NCSU met with the governor of Nagaland PB Acharya in Kohima on October 8. The NCSU iterated its demand to the governor to intervene immediately for urgent action in regard to the widening of the Longleng-Changtongya road, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road, Phek-Pfutsero road, and the Zunheboto-Chakhabama road. The contract was allotted to Maytas Gayatri of Hyderabad in February 2011 but abandoned the work halfway, the NCSU stated.
“However, to the great disappointment of the general public, the company has abandoned the work completely haphazard resulting in a nightmare thereby causing untold inconveniences and suffering to the travelling public of these roads undertaken by them,” the NCSU state din a copy of a press release received here on Thursday. ‘Hence, NCSU demanded immediate cancellation of the work order allotted to Maytas-Gayatri JV and to allot these works to capable local contractors.”
The other demand the contractors and suppliers made to the governor was to hand over responsibility of the national and state highways to the state’s Public Works Department. The roads are under the jurisdiction of the Border Roads Organization. “…the performance and workmanship of BRO have of late become poor and unsatisfactory,” the NCSU stated.
According to the union, the governor ‘replied that he has personally taken up the matters with the Union Minister for Surface Transport,’ Shipping Nitin Gadkari. Acharya was hopeful to “get positive response soon,” the union stated.
More questions about Maytas-Gayatri JV
In a separate press release received here on Thursday, the Phek unit of the NCSU also stated that the construction of the two-lane road from Chakhabama to Zunheboto by M/S Maytas Gayatri has been kept pending for almost 3 years.
“They have been awarded to construct works for widening 2-lane road project from ‘0’ point Chakhabama to Zunheboto on 21st June 2012 with an substantial amount of Rs 1,300 crores under the road Transport Ministry, Government of India to complete it before march 2013. But, what has gone wrong? Where are the company workers? Where are they hiding? When are they going to start again?,” the unit queried.
If they are unable to do the work, the press release stated, the work must be handed over to the local contractors immediately. The unit said the local contractors were capable and well-equipped “with latest machineries and technologies.”
The condition of the existing roads has hampered the livelihood of many villagers, the Phek NCSU stated.
The Phek contractors stated: “Due to its deplorable road condition the vehicles have to ply through Chesezu village-via-Pfutsero to Kohima and Dimapur, which has become very difficult for sick people. If any patient party faces any incident or problem while on the way due to deplorable road condition, the company must bear the responsibilities and face the consequences and if any public or any organization found encouraging or supporting the ongoing works for self benefit he/she shall face with dire consequences through Phek District Contractors and Suppliers Union NCSU Phek Nagaland.”
