Says no decision yet on show caused firms
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 6
Nagaland Roads and Bridges Minister G Kaito Aye said no decision has yet been taken on the two contractors issued show-cause notice for delaying work in the Nagaland Foothills Road project. Aye, who was a part of the state government delegation to New Delhi for the signing of the tripartite agreement for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), returned to the state on February 6.
He told reporters that any action on the contractors/firms in question will depend on a ground-level assessment. On February 4, the Office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads & Bridges) issued notices to two firms involved in the project— JK Construction, and Chabou & Co, to show cause for slow pace of work, and failing to meet “agreed timeline.”
Aye acknowledged delays in the project and the show-cause notice issued by his Department. “They have taken little long time…” Aye said. “I have directed my department, and I will physically inspect the entire length up to Naginimora and see what is going on.”
He said that he will make the inspection trip on February 7 to examine whether the delay was due to landowner issues, local interventions, or weaknesses in execution by the contractor. He added that any follow-up action would be taken only after reviewing the contractor’s response and findings from the site visit.
Responding to concerns that road alignment changes were being influenced by landowners or local bodies instead of following the PWD’s Detailed Project Report, Aye said that multiple stakeholders showing interest in the project sometimes complicate matters.
“Everybody wants to take responsibility because it is a good development. But sometimes that obstructs the system. Certainly, the department has to take all the responsibility,” he said.
On the role of the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee, the Minister said, “We are not against them. But sometimes we jump over each other.”
On whether the contractors/firms would be blacklisted if found at fault, he said, “Let me go and see on the spot… I cannot just give a blank reply.”
