‘Nothing much has been done on the ground’

November 22, 2022 14 Views No Comment

HC directs NPWD to submit timeline for completion of 3 road projects in Meluri

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22

The report submitted by the Court appointed committee to inspect the progress of three road projects in Meluri sub-division “reveals that nothing much has been done on the ground.” This was stated in an order passed by a bench comprising Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Kakheto Sema in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench while resuming the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on November 16.

“The Committee Report reveals that nothing much has been done on the ground and there has been overlapping of the works as alleged by the petitioners,” the Court order stated.

Findings of the Committee
As per the report submitted to the Court, the four-person committee which included Advocates Joshua Sheqi, L Likhase, Moa Jamir, and Arenlong commenced inspection on November 10 from T01 (Akash Bridge) till Lephori and from Lephori to Star Lake on November 11.

The committee was accompanied by representatives from the Office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Nagaland, Kohima along with the Executive Engineer, SDO & Junior Engineer from the establishment of PWD (R&B) Phek Division, Phek.

According to the report, there were several overlapping portions in the stretch of road which covers a total length of 56 kms starting from TO1 to Star Lake.

It said that the Lephori to Molhe Camp work order overlaps with the Akhen to Star Lake work order for three items of which included earthwork, side drain construction and installation of Hume pipes. Similarly, the T01 to Kanjang work order overlaps with the Lephori to Molhe Post work order for side drain construction, Water Bound Macadam (WBM)-II laying and Hume pipe culvert.

In terms of work progress, the Committee submitted that most works such as surface drainage, cross drainage, protection works including construction of retaining walls, Hume pipe culverts, among others, were ‘not executed’ or are ‘yet to be executed’ for all three work orders. Along with various other incomplete works, it also submitted that earth cutting components in the Lephori to Molhe Camp and the Akhen to Star Lake work orders were not done according to the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Court’s directive
The Court meanwhile directed the Chief Engineer, NPWD (Roads & Bridges) to file an affidavit stating when the three projects— Lephori to Molhe Post (26 km), Akhen to Star Lake (15 Km) and T0-1 to Kanjang (38 km) — would be completed “giving timelines for each component of the work.” He shall also explain as to why there has been overlapping of the works on the three projects, the order stated.

“Needless to say, the contractor shall continue to execute works in full swing so that the projects are completed in time,” it added, while listing the matter again for December 12.

All three works were awarded to Rhino Construction Agency and Nagaland Steel Engineering Works, which are said to be registered to one individual contractor, L Metha.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nothing-much-has-been-done-on-the-ground