Nagaland
Kohima-Jessami road: Phek NPP slams NHIDCL, demands immediate actions
DIMAPUR — Pointing out Nagaland National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited’s (NHIDCL) history of apathy and negligence to the people using the Kohima-Jessami road, the Phek unit of National People’s Party (NPP) has demanded immediate termination of the contract with the “incompetent contractor”, call for a fresh tender, and commencement of road maintenance work immediately.
“Failure to comply will prompt us to take severe action through democratic protests, demonstrations or legal action against NHIDCL and the contractor. We will not hesitate to escalate this matter to ensure accountability for the suffering inflicted upon the people,” the district party unit stated on Wednesday in a letter addressed to the General Manager (P) of PMU Pfutsero, NHIDCL.
The party condemned what it stated was the NHIDCL’s blatant disregard to the suffering of the people due to the deplorable condition of the Kohima-Jessami road, specifically the Chakhaba-Kikruma stretch (Package II).
“Despite our frequent appeals and warnings, NHIDCL has demonstrated a callous disregard for human life and public safety. The contractor’s inactivity and your authority’s negligence have resulted in immense hardship, damage, and risk to commuters.
“Before this 2-lane road project started, this vital road was serving its purpose well to the people of Phek district, well, of course, with some minor repairs during rainy season. But after the insincere implementation of this 2-lane road programme, the road has been battered and has reduced the life of the people to a very dilapidated condition,” the letter read.
The Phek unit of NPP further pointed out that it had previously highlighted “the urgency and gravity of the situation” through successive press statements issued in May and August this year.
“Regrettably, NHIDCL has chosen to ignore our pleas, displaying a shocking lack of accountability and responsibility. Furthermore, the Project Monitoring Group (PMG), Phek District’s recommendation (Order No. DCPK/LR/2-LANE/GEN/1/2021/171, dated June 13, 2024) to terminate the contract was disregarded and therefore exacerbated the crisis.
“The people’s patience has worn thin, and we will not tolerate further negligence,” it asserted.