Mismanagement, compensation issues impeding NH 37 project
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 15 2022:
Even though National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had awarded work orders to different work agencies and funds required for payment of land compensation, mismanagement on the part of NHIDCL and failure to release the land compensation to the affected land owners are delaying the project of double laning NH 37 .
NHIDCL was entrusted to take up most of the national highway projects in the state.
However, there are reports of mismanagement on the part of the executive director of NHIDCL, who was appointed to oversee the project implementation, thus, hampering the execution of NH projects in the state.
Sources said that NHIDCL has requisite fund to begin the project and to release land compensation.
However, there are still processes pending with the state government at various levels including the district administration and revenue department, consequently delaying payment of land compensation to the affected land owners.
As a result, the land owners are imposing restrictions on the project demanding land compensation.
One Albert Gangmei, a resident of Charoi Pandongba village along NH 37, told media persons that they welcome the decision to widen the highway and renovate it as it will bring significant improvement in their lives.
Survey work for the project was completed about two years ago but the government has not released the land compensation.
Consequently, the affected land owners are imposing restrictions on the project and they are ready to launch democratic forms of agitation until they get the compensation amount, he said.
On the other hand, another source said that work agencies, which have been awarded the project, are losing their interest as the authority is making every effort to delay release of bills even though the work agencies have started the project.
Paratech Construction Private Limited, which is working on the construction of Irang Bridge (RCC), is facing similar situation right now.
In order to get the bills released, the company is required to go through consultant authority, project monitoring unit and RO's office, which often takes at least one month.
The sources also confided that the company might suspend construction work of the RCC structure for some time in view of rise in water level due to incessant rainfall.
According to project manager Neeturam Bhagat, the company planned to complete construction of the bridge within six months but the target might be extended due to pre-monsoon rainfall hampering the work.
The manager also informed that repairing of the recently collapsed Irang Bailey bridge would take about one month as they have to wait till the water level recedes.
The highway project from Oriental College Gate to Jiri has a deadline of 18 months.
All the contractors, who have been awarded the work order, are ready to initiate the project at any time.
However, delay in the payment of land compensation has become a roadblock in initiating the project.
Around eight months have passed out of the 18 months window, which leaves only about 10 months to complete.
The contractors are keeping their multi crore funds in some small banks and posers are being raised if the government is trying to take benefits of the fund deposited in the banks.
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