The Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO), in collaboration with the Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO), conducted an inspection on September 20, 2024, of the ongoing work on National Highway 29 between Chathe River Bridge and New Chumoukedima. The inspection found it “unsatisfactory” on the “snail paced progress of work and lack of quality workmanship.”
As the public endures significant hardships due to the washed-away road, which forces travelers to take the uphill bypass via New Chümoukedima, the CYO condemned the “lackadaisical nature of NHIDCL,” stating it “cannot be tolerated at this juncture.”
The organizations noted that they had previously raised similar issues in 2021, addressing a letter to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, expressing “strong displeasure on the lack of quality workmanship” and urging for immediate intervention to prevent potential disasters.
Despite acknowledging the government’s knowledge of the soil conditions, the CYO criticized the approach taken by NHIDCL, highlighting that “the widening of the road is being made on earth filling only,” lacking an RCC retaining wall with a strong foundation on the riverside to support the road. They pointed out that this negligence led to substantial road damage during the monsoon season, with much of the road washed away. “Sadly, our representation letter was ignored in toto by the government,” they lamented.
The CYO also expressed concern over the status of the FIR filed against NHIDCL by the state government, urging for a non-bailable arrest warrant to be issued to the NHIDCL, demanding that they should be booked and prosecuted under relevant provisions of the law.
Additionally, the CYO appealed to the district administration to allow all types of vehicles to traverse the narrow stretch of road (landslide area) at NH-29, with the support of traffic police personnel. They expressed willingness to assist by manning the road to facilitate the free movement of vehicles from both sides. The organization noted that with only six workers observed on-site, the completion of restoration work is expected to take another 5-6 months.
The CYO directed the concerned authority for additional manpower and machineries so that restoration of the on-going work can be completed at the earliest.