Wokha- Merapani road project review meet

[caption id="attachment_178567" align="alignnone" width="550"] Manazir Jeelani Samoon and members of NHIDCL during the review meeting in DC’s conference hall in Wokha.[/caption] Dimapur, April 24 (EMN): The deputy commissioner of Wokha, Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon has convened a consultative meeting with Wokha District Administration, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), contractor M/S CS Infraconstruction Limited and Lotha organisations in his office conference room, on April 23. According to DPRO report, the meeting discussed various aspects of the ongoing rehabilitation and up-gradation project of the Wokha- Merapani highway. The general manager of NHIDCL, Tezpur, clarified that there is no sub contract, for the project and so far no running bill has been paid to the contractor. He has assured the Lotha oganisations and the district administration that the contractor will comply with the technical specifications of the project. It has mentioned that the works of earmarking of the Right of Way (ROW) will be made by the NHIDCL and CS Infra with the help of the Lotha organizations, for speedy implementation of the road project. The project included widening, strengthening and upgrade to a two-lane highway, with runway of 7.00 meters (23 feet) for plain terrain and 5.50 meters (18 feet) for hilly terrain as per specifications of the DPR. The total width of formation (total width including side shoulders and drain) is 10.35 m (34 feet) for plain terrain and 8.85 m (29 feet) for hilly terrain. The general manger has directed the contractor to follow the DPR specifications, failing which the work order will be cancelled. The NHIDCL further clarified that any work item to be sublet to sub contractor is subject to approval of the NHIDCL. Lotha organisations not to compromise workmanship While appreciating the efforts of the deputy commissioner for bringing the NHIDCL and the contractor, for interaction with the beneficiary community, the Lotha organizations expressed dismay in the insincerity of the NHIDCL and non-compliance to technical specifications by the contractor. The beneficiary organizations have earlier, on April 16, said to have served an ultimatum to the contractor to start the widening earthwork latest by April 30, failing which the beneficiary organizations will not allow the contractor to precede further with other works such as construction of culverts etc. Pointing out that since the DPR specifications are vividly and explicitly available that the rehabilitation project is for up-gradation to two-lane which includes widening and strengthening, realignment of hair pin bends, cement concrete paved shoulders etc., the Lotha organisations said there is no need for any deliberations but to implement the project as per specifications. The organisations made clear that since such a major project will come only once, there can be no compromise to either workmanship or specifications. The organizations also assured the NHIDCL and the contractor that for any local problem the Lotha Hoho and organizations will help to mitigate. The organizations further clarified that no harassment or extortion by any individual or group will be allowed and that the Lotha organizations will fully co operate with the agency and the contractor. The Lotha organizations also made it clear that any personnel involved in the project works will have to authenticate his/her identity as per ultimatum given earlier on April 16. Hence any unidentified person will not be allowed to involve in the project works.