Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 27
IT took five years to complete the box cutting exit near Mezhür Higher Secondary School overbridge to marginally ease the traffic by diverting vehicles going towards Hospital Road instead of getting jammed at TCP gate.
The much needed box cutting or diversion stretching approximately some couple of hundred feet or more, which commenced in January 2009 saw the light of the day with Minister for Roads and Bridges Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu dedicating it to the people of the State this morning.Addressing the gathering, Azo expressed hope that the new bypass will ease the traffic congestion and streamline the traffic system to a certain extent in the State capital.
He said being the capital of the State, Kohima is the face of the State and it is high time to make proper planning for improvement and beautification of the State capital. He said the box-cutting which should be christened properly by Kohima District Planning and Development Board added beauty to Kohima town.
Acknowledging the suggestions made during the function by local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Dr Nicky Kire, Azo said the department would take up the matter of constructing an over-head bridge for vehicle connecting Mezhür junction directing to Phoolbari and also rope way for the people to land at Cemetery from the other side without crossing the road.
Earlier, giving the technical details of the box cutting, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B), D Mero said total project cost was Rs 7 crore and it was completed in five years time. He mentioned that the work started in the month of January 2009 but the main retaining walls caved in due to excessive rain and triggered major damages on both sides of the road. Therefore, the project got delayed, he added.
The programme was chaired by Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing, Temjen Toy.
Parliamentary Secretary Vikho-o Yhoshu and MLA Khriehu Liezietsu, officials of Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union, Additional Chief Secretary HK Khulu and Horticulture Director Watila were also present during the function.
