Imphal, June 20 2010: With the identification of the landslide prone areas on the stretch of the NH 53, improvement works have already started, said Works Minister, K Ranjit today while asserting that his department is targeting to complete the same on or before July 15 .

Speaking as chief guest at a merit scholarship distribution function held at Khongman in Imphal East district today, Minister Ranjit said, not satisfied with the maintenance works of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) on the NH 53, state government has decided to take over the responsibility of the same.

The State PWD is preapring to take over the charge of maintenance of the road as the Cabinet has taken a decision regarding the matter, and is insisting the Union Minister of Shipping and Surface Transports and Highways on handing over the same to the state PWD, he said.

The department has completed identification of landslide prone areas on the stretch of the route.

The clearance works had already started using 16 JCBs.

The work will be completed on or within July 15 to make the route an accessible one, he assured.

Government is taking keen interest in making the route an accessible one by taking up repairing works of at least 10 identified weak bridges on the stretch, Ranjit said adding that works for improvement of the road will be handed over to those able contractors.

Not only state government is taking up improvement works of NH-39 and NH-150.A fund amounting to Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for the development of NH-39 .

Even though the work could not be immediately taken up in the rainy season, the same will be initiated at the earliest with the start of the working season.

Government is planning to take up the improvement works of the stretch of the NH-39 from Maram to Senapati and upto Moreh.

The conditions of the stretch of the NH-150 (Guite road) had also inspected.

Improving of bridges will be given first priority, he said.

Not only the national highways but government is also working hard for improvement of all round road communication.

After inspecting road conditions, government is also started taking up road improvement in interior hill areas.

He also claimed that during the period of SPF government, many neglected roads in the remote areas have been converted into accessible works.