Ministerial Team Learns What Former Governor Dr SS Sidhu Saw Five Years Back!
Creaky Barak bridge strand vehicles on either side
Source: The Sangai Express

Jiribam, June 08 2010: With the Barak bridge located along Imphal-Jiribam road stretch of the National Highway-53 developing technical snags and not in a position to bear the weights of loaded trucks, vehicles coming from Imphal as well as Jiribam are presently stranded on either side.

Works Minister K Ranjit Singh, who is currently leading a Ministerial team on an inspection tour of the National Highway stretch has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of maintenance work being taken up by the BRO.

The Minister, however, has assured that the road would be developed by any means.

Ministerial team inspecting the bridge over the Barak river on NH-53

Accompanied by media-persons, the Ministerial team which also include Transport Minister L Jayantakumar, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Bijoy Koijam, Chairman of Manipur Pollution Board E Dwijamani and transporters has been on an inspection tour of the Imphal-Jiri Road since yesterday.

Talking to mediaper-sons, K Ranjit said that BRO has been trying to fix the Barak bridge on a war footing so that transportation of goods can resume.

The Minister, however, expressed displeasure over the manner in which the BRO has been maintaining the National Highway and pointed out that no drainage system has been provided.

The Minister said that the Government would be giving a specific timeframe to the BRO to take of the drainage system and if BRO is not able to deliver the goods then the Government has to take up necessary measures.

To repair the deplorable portions of the road, tippers and bulldozers would be pressed into service and the State Govt would be arranging the required material for strengthening the weak bridges which are located in between Barak and Jiri which number around 10, the Minister said.

A joint meeting with the BRO officials has been convened on June 10 to discuss the repairing of the road stretch from Imphal to Barak and again from Barak to Jiribam, the Minister disclosed.

On the existing condition of NH-53, president of All Manipur Transporters and Drivers Council H Ranjit said that it had already taken a stand of not doing any service if the condition of the road would be risky for the drivers.

Prior information about the suspending the services would be given to the BRO after a meeting of the Council, he added.

Transport Minister L Jayantakumar, who was also present at the occasion, said that a sum of Rs 3 crores has been earmarked for construction of a bus terminus at Jiribam but requisition of land is being awaited.