JAC members, along with Dr. MSN Murthy and RIPPL officials, after the meeting at the company's base camp in Kikruma. (Photo courtesy: Media Cell, JAC)
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): Ratna Infrastructure Project Private Limited (RIPPL) has assured the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of National Highway-29 (Kohima-Jessami Road) that work on the Chakhabama-Kikruma stretch will be completed by May 15, 2027, following a joint physical inspection of the road on November 2.
The assurance was given by Dr. MSN Murthy, authorised signatory of RIPPL, during a meeting at the company's base camp in Kikruma, Phek district, after the JAC, company representatives and frontal organisations from Kohima, Phek, Meluri and Kiphire inspected the ongoing NH-29 Package-II works from Chakhabama to Kikruma.
According to a press statement issued by the JAC Media Cell, the inspection began at RIPPL's stone quarry site in Chakhabama and culminated at the company's base camp in Kikruma, followed by an official meeting. Addressing the meeting, JAC Convenor Vivolie Kezo expressed concern over what he termed the "insufficient commitment" of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) towards executing the NH-29 project, particularly the Chakhabama-Kikruma stretch.
"Instead of delivering results, the NHIDCL has repeatedly granted extension for the working period while ignoring the voices of the general public," Kezo stated, urging the corporation to approach the project with "the seriousness and sincerity it deserves before any untoward incident occurs." Kezo pointed out that RIPPL was awarded the project on January 5, 2024, with a scheduled completion date of January 4, 2026. However, he alleged that the contractor had repeatedly sought extensions instead of completing the work within the stipulated period.
Expressing dissatisfaction over what he described as RIPPL's repeated failure to fulfil its assurances and promises, Kezo alleged that the company had not maintained work quality in accordance with tender standards. He also cited the alleged lack of adequate machinery, manpower and raw materials at the project site, adding that the company had frequently cited fuel shortages and delays in staff salary payments as reasons affecting the progress of work. Urging Murthy to address the concerns of the people, Kezo appealed to him to provide a written assurance to establish better understanding and facilitate effective cooperation.
Responding to the concerns, Murthy assured that RIPPL would deliver "good quality works to the people of Nagas." He said the "pragmatic difficulties and problems" within the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had been resolved and that large-scale continuation of work would resume shortly after November 15, 2026.
He also urged the people to cooperate with the company and assured that the ongoing project would be completed by May 15, 2027*, stating that the timeline was based on a directive from the ministry.
The JAC, while acknowledging the assurances given by RIPPL, stated that it would continue to "mobilised the working system of the Ratna" and extend full support and cooperation to the company. However, it cautioned that it would not remain a "silent spectator" if any loopholes or inefficiency were detected, adding that RIPPL would be held solely responsible for any untoward incidents and their consequences.
During the meeting, JAC members also raised several technical concerns regarding the ongoing work and questioned the company over what they described as its "inefficiency and ignorance" towards the aspirations of the people over the years.
The committee stated that people in the area had "already lost their patience and trust" in the contractor. However, following the personal presence of Murthy and the assurances and commitments made by him, the JAC decided, on behalf of the people, to extend cooperation to RIPPL "for a moment." It warned that failure to honour the assurances would compel the committee to take the people's concerns to higher authorities "as would deem fit."
The meeting was chaired by JAC Co-Convenor Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, while Co-Convenor Dusahe Noho invoked God's blessings.
