WSH resents delay in 4th Mile-Niuland road construction

Dimapur, July 14 (EMN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has expressed disappointment over delay in the ongoing road construction from 4th Mile, Chümoukedima, to Niuland, spanning 21.89 km.

The hoho in a press release pointed out that the construction work, which commenced in April 2022, has not been completed even after the allotted time frame.

The hoho stated that on July 13, 2023, the Western Sumi Hoho held a joint meeting with the contractor’s representative, firm representatives, executive engineer of PWD department, district administration and Ato Area GBs, at Hozukhe village council hall.

During the meeting, the executive engineer who gave a briefing on the project’s precise specification, informed that although the contractor had been granted an extension of time (EoT) and a bill amount of INR 16 crores out of 24.38 crores released, the construction was not progressing as expected, WSH stated.

According to WSH, the executive engineer also stated that the PWD Chief Engineer’s office would no longer accept extensions of time and that the work should be finished by the end of August 2023.

The hoho went on to state that the Ato Area GBs also expressed their concern with the poor workmanship and slow work progress. Also, subsequent dust pollution for a prolonged long period due to delay in construction work, was causing health problems to the people of the area.

“They claimed that despite providing the contractor with all of their benevolent services and cooperation in an effort to complete the project as soon as possible while keeping in mind that this road belongs to all Nagas in general, the contractor frequently only provided them with empty promises, which ultimately caused them to lose their patients,” WSH stated.

After much debate and discussion, it was decided that the company to which the contract was granted should execute the road project in accordance with the latest EoT, it stated.

Further, WSH informed that it has assigned Ato Area GBs to oversee the construction work and report to WSH office regarding any subsequent lapses on the part of the firm, in order to ensure that the quality and craftsmanship were not compromised.

“Finally, it was decided that the WSH would ask the government for additional necessary measures in this regard and will take its own appropriate action if the project in question was not completed on time,” the hoho stated.