‘Rockslides on NH 29 are man-made disasters’: CPO, WSYF

February 11, 2021 49 Views No Comment

Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): With the closure on the National Highway between Chathe River Bridge (Patkai Bridge) and Kukidolong since February 2 following a major rockslide, various organisations have voiced concerns over the disasters.

On February 10, the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and the Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) stated that the February 2 rockslide was not a natural but a man-made disaster.

In separate statements, both the CPO and the WSYF pointed to the negligence of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) in taking proper safety measures.

The CPO said that ‘time and again’ it had written to the NHIDCL for proper surveillance on the works of the contractors at the said location. It however alleged that the ‘public outcry’ was not taken into serious consideration.

The WSYF also stated that the disasters could have been avoided “if the authorities concerned, particularly the NHIDCL, had taken proper safety measures while undertaking earth cutting and blasting activities.”

Non-adherence to safety measures

Stating that it had been closely observing the causes leading to mudslides and rockslides along the stretch from Patkai Bridge to Kukidolong, the WSYF added that the major cause of the mudslides and rockslides was found to have been due to steep cutting instead of adopting the step cutting and slope cutting method.

The WSYF said that while the contractors will carry out works as specified and instructed, the responsibility of the disasters should be owned by NHIDCL as it should specify the methodology and style of works to be carried out.

Another cause for steep cutting appears to be buying of limited land space for the purpose of 4-lane in order to cut down on land compensation expenses, the WSYF alleged.

The NHIDCL resorting to steep cutting is proving “disastrous and endangering the lives of the Naga people and commuters from neighbouring states,” the WSYF stated.

Despite the NHIDCL’s expertise, if such disasters are happening owing to non-adherence to certain safety measures, then it is clearly a man-made disaster and not a natural disaster, the WSYF asserted.

It also voiced concern that if such incidents are occurring even during dry seasons, the monsoon season would bring more disaster and inconvenience to the public.

“…The NHIDCL would do well to strictly follow all safety measures during the 4-lane road construction not only at the Paglapahar stretch but the entire 4-lane stretch,” the WSYF stated.

The WSYF also highlighted the deplorable condition of the alternative route given to the public owing to the frequent vehicular restrictions from Patkai Bridge to Kukidolong and appealed to the government to facilitate decent motorable road along the Shokhuvi-Razaphe-Mhaikam-Pimla-Jhornapani route.

The CPO, in its statement, asserted that the rockslide/landslides along the mentioned stretch of the highway, “is never a natural disaster…” adding that they are caused by the construction company and that “they cannot blame the landscape or the formation of soil or rocks in the whole stretch of the highway.”

The CPO stated that the construction company was aware of the terrain while accepting the works. As such, they are supposed to employ qualified and experienced engineers to handle the job and also to have sufficient machineries for the work, it added.

The Organisation further asserted that it is the duty of the construction company to provide safe passage to the commuters ‘at any cost’.

CPO demands immediate reopening of road

The CPO further expressed its displeasure, stating that unless in case of a natural disaster, “they have no right to close the road because of their mishandling of the work.”

It further stated that if the contractors are creating any mishap to the commuters, action should be taken against them as per the law.

The blockade of road in the Patkai Bridge-Kukidolong is causing untold misery to the citizens of New Chümoukedima up to Piphema/Tsiepama, the CPO stated.

School children whose board exams are approaching have not been able to attend classes in Chümoukedima for the last seven-eight days, it said, while also mentioning difficulties faced by patients and doctors alike. Besides these, essential commodities are being charged at exorbitant rates, the CPO added.

The CPO reminded that the public is losing its patience on closure of the road and appealed to the district administration to “immediately and securely open the road for the public at the said location before the public completely loses its patience.”

Source: https://morungexpress.com/rockslides-on-nh-29-are-man-made-disasters-cpo-wsyf