Chakhesang Public Organisation demands action on delayed Kohima-Jessami road project

DIMAPUR — The Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) has expressed “displeasure and dissatisfaction” over the delayed and substandard work on the Kohima to Jessami two-lane road project.

In a press release issued on Monday, the CPO and its ‘CPO 2-lane Committee from Kohima to Jessami road’, accused the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the project’s contractors of failing to meet commitments despite repeated appeals and meetings.

Expressing concern over the “lackadaisical attitude and slow progress and poor workmanship”, the CPO stated that the NHIDCL and the contractor’s “sweet promises and assurances” have remained dormant and Chakhabama packages 1 and 2 have been left abandoned for years together, causing severe public inconveniences.

The organisation stated that the project has seen several accidents, resulting in loss of life and public resources due to poor road maintenance and negligence. While the negligence warrants legal action against the responsible parties, the public have tolerated these conditions due to their desperate need for better roads, it stated.

However, this tolerance should not be mistaken for ignorance, it asserted, adding that commuters have the right to safe and unimpeded passage during the two-lane construction, as per existing provisions.

The CPO further called on NHIDCL to prioritise the project by ensuring timely release of funds to contractors. It also demanded that contractors clear blocked drains and landslide debris along completed sections of the road as “remained untouched for too long.” It also appealed to NHIDCL and the EPC contractors to expedite the project with “specified quality” and address the current issues without further delay.

Additionally, it noted that mining activities along the road have caused damage to the road and urged village councils to and caution erring miners damaging the road and to ensure necessary clearance work was carried out.

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