Minister for Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges), G Kaito Aye, has said that there are currently no ongoing projects under his department in Mokokchung district.
“There is no ongoing project going on in Mokokchung district at the moment,” Aye stated during an interaction with reporters on the sidelines of the Tsüngremmung festival held on August 2.
Asked about the status of road works in the district, the minister clarified that most roads in Mokokchung fall under the National Highway network, which is outside the purview of his department. “Highway is not within me,” he said.
He said the PWD (R&B) is responsible only for rural roads in the district. “Mokokchung luckily is covered by National Highway. It is only Mokokchung–Mariani road that is in a poor condition, but it is taken over by the Government of India,” Aye said. “We maintain only rural roads, like the road from the Dikhu river to Longsa village. It is a one-time grant given by NEC, and after that there was no maintenance.”
Addressing the issue of ongoing works and delays, the minister said, “Whatever ongoing projects are going on — the backlog, the unfinished project, whatever it is — we are trying to complete and see that we start from zero. It is getting late. But the contractor could not complete it in time.”
When asked about the alleged 5% completion rate of works by PWD (R&B) Mokokchung, reportedly revealed to the Finance Commission earlier this year, Aye responded that there is no fixed fund allocation for specific areas and that the state is awaiting the 16th Finance Commission’s report, expected in November.
On the question of available funds, he said that Rs 30 crore is with him, specifically for maintenance works, but that the amount has not yet been utilized. “I am waiting for any sort of natural calamities that might happen during the monsoon season. If there are no natural calamities, the Rs 30 crore will be divided into 24 divisions,” he said.
He further clarified that urban centres such as Mokokchung, Kohima, and Dimapur fall under the jurisdiction of their respective municipal and town councils, and therefore, the PWD (R&B)’s responsibilities are limited to rural roads. “My portion is only the village areas. Maintenance work is only maintenance,” he stated.
On the deteriorating Dikhu Bridge, which connects Longsa and Ungma villages along the Mokokchung–Tuensang route, Aye acknowledged public concern but said it falls under the National Highways Authority’s jurisdiction.
“Dikhu belongs to National Highway. Though I am not the Minister in charge, I will pressure the government that the Dikhu Bridge should be restored at the earliest, as life is under threat,” he said, adding, “I will take it to the government because it is a collective responsibility.”