Zeme students decry poor roads

Dimapur, Nov. 5 (EMN): Incomplete road works due to ‘lackadaisical attitude of contractors and department concerned’ has rendered travelling experience for residents of Nsong and Kebai-Khelma areas in Peren district ‘a nightmare’, according to the Zeme Students’ Union of Nagaland. A statement from the union on Tuesday maintained that despite several ultimatums, the contractors and the department have turned a deaf ear and abandoned the construction work of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Road in Peren district. According to the union, it had asked the contractors to complete the work in time and urged various stakeholders to resume and expedite the construction work at the earliest “but due to the lackadaisical attitude of the contractors and department towards the two areas (Nsong and Kebai-Khelma), the work has not been completed”. “The road condition is deteriorating, causing inconveniences and ‘nightmare experience’ to the people. The hope of PMGSY Road, which is the cry of the people to see new dawn, is still in vain,” it stated. The union asked why the contractor and the department have “totally ignored” these two areas for many years. “Failing to comply with this reminder, the union will initiate its own course of claiming the people’s right without any compromise, as the public has waited for so long. If any untoward or unfortunate gaps occur, the union is not to be held responsible,” it added. Also, the union expressed shock at the Peren District Contractors and Suppliers Union (PDCSU) demanding immediate cancellation of notice inviting tender (NIT) for construction of Tening-Lekie road measuring 37.50 km under North East Council (NEC). “The union reiterates that any individual, groups or parties disrupting or causing blockage to development in the areas will be taken as against the development of the areas, and the union will not entertain such incident in its jurisdiction,” it asserted.