MNF criticizes ZPM government for poor highway maintenance

The Mizo National Front (MNF) has slammed the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government for failing to maintain the National Highway (NH) 306/6 between Kawnpui and Khamrang, citing negligence as the cause of the road’s deteriorating state. During a press conference on Tuesday, MNF General Secretary and former PWD Engineer-in-Chief, Er K. Sawmvela, criticized the Chief Minister’s recent remarks about the damaged highway, calling them regrettable and uninformed. He accused the Chief Minister of making statements without consulting the relevant department officers.

Sawmvela pointed out that when the current Chief Minister was in opposition, he had promised that all roads in the state would be repaired under the ZPM government. However, he claimed that the road conditions have worsened during the nine-month tenure of the ZPM administration.Clarifying the issue, Sawmvela stated that the Kawnpui-Khamrang road was developed under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract in accordance with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) procedures. He added that the Public Works Department (PWD) followed standard MoRT&H documentation and denied any violations of the contract.

The MNF leader also explained that the road in question underwent periodical renewal and had a defect liability period of three years, not five as previously claimed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma. Sawmvela further disclosed that the contractor, Sadguru Engineers & Allied Services Pvt. Ltd., had its contract terminated according to MoRT&H rules, with a security deposit of ₹35.37 lakhs transferred to the PWD.