As NH-702D, with a total stretch of 63 km, continues to deteriorate despite being under Project Management Consultancy (PMC) Services for Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering for Widening to a 2-lane road with paved shoulders, concerns persist on the present condition of the arterial road.
The Executive Engineer of PWD (NH) Mokokchung has informed that the investigation by the PMC is reportedly ongoing, and the PMC is expected to submit the report by January 2024. If the report is approved, the PMC will delve into more detailed insights into the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
However, before the PMC completes its DPR and receives approval, the Nagaland PWD (NH) has submitted a Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) DPR in the hope that, in the interim, while the 2-lane construction is pending approval, the STMC can oversee the maintenance work.
Issue of NH-702D: ownership and maintenance
The Executive Engineer of PWD (NH), Mokokchung, explained that NH-702D was taken over by PWD (NH) in 2016 but was transferred to NHIDCL in January 2021 for ‘special repair.’ However, the work under NHIDCL, particularly from New Camp to Longtho stretch, has not been in a ‘traffic-worthy condition.’
As of now, NH-702D is still under NHIDCL, and the PWD (NH) has yet to take over the maintenance project from NHIDCL. In a consultative meeting on Tuesday, the EE PWD (NH) highlighted the failure of the EPC Contractor, Trident Enterprise, in completing the work despite repeated appeals by the Project Monitoring Group.
Meanwhile, the NHIDCL representative in the meeting clarified that they had to ‘immediately cease work’ at NH-702 D since they were directed by their head office not to take up any work except for the roads entrusted to them. Therefore, the maintenance work project for this road stretch is being foreclosed, and the process of handing it over to the parent department (PWD) is underway.
NH-702D: Maintenance and landslide investigation
With the road slated for a 2-lane project, the PWD is now planning to take care of maintenance work through the STMC until the 2-lane project receives approval. However, the Executive Engineer reminded everyone that their STMC DPR is limited only to gravel, base, and protection work and will not include bituminous paving. The investigation work for STMC DPR has now begun.
According to the Executive Engineer, there are around six sinking areas in Mokokchung where landslides occur, out of which two critical areas—the site below Assam Rifles camp in Mongsenbai ward near Sewak Gate and the other site located below Chungtia village—have been selected for investigation in the DPR.
Discussing the investigation process, David Lhoupenyi (Geologist) explained that they will first conduct a geological study to understand why the landslides are happening and then compile a report. Afterward, they will determine ways to prevent further landslide/subsidence in the affected areas. Officials have tentatively scheduled the investigation from 11 to 16 September 2023.
On 13 September, alongside the investigation, the geologist when speaking to media persons mentioned that the findings in the site below Assam Rifles camp at Mongsenbai ward near Sewak Gate were ‘surprising.’ Contrary to their expectations, the soil in which the landslide occurred was ‘very dry,’ necessitating further study.
He mentioned that various other activities such as topographical surveys, borehole drilling, geomorphology mapping, and salt analysis have been conducted, and they hope to have the report available by next week.
David Lhoupenyi is leading the team, with assistance from Vilzoto Valeo, Neveyo Vero, and Sune M, who serve as assistant geologists.
The estimated total contingency expenditure for carrying out the investigation is approximately Rs 247,650.
