Rare achievement for state in executing road projects
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 19, 2022 -

AS it's very rare for infrastructure developmental projects implemented in Manipur to receive public approval and evoke appreciation, enlistment of the 37-33 km long road from Kamjong to Konkang Thana in Kamjong district among the achievement programmes of the North Eastern Council (NEC) is indeed a great achievement.

Apart from the said road project living up to the satisfaction of locals settling along the route, the official conveyance of commendation from the NEC to the state government is indeed remarkable and will hopefully inspire work agencies of ongoing and upcoming projects to strictly follow the standard protocol.

The success story of Kamjong-Konkang project also underscores importance of synergy between the contractors and the project monitoring authority, which in the state's context is the Public Works Department.

It will be indeed a moment to cherish for the state PWD when the said road being implemented with funding from the NEC under the North Eastern Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) wass showcased during the golden jubilee celebration of the NEC.

Moreover, the icing on the cake will be formal inauguration of the road with consent of the central authorities, for Manipur has had the unwanted reputation of either sub-standard execution of roads and bridges or protracted delays in completing centrally-funded projects.

While the work agency as well as the PWD deserve to get the credit for the commendable performance, it is the denizens, whose source of sustenance depends entirely on the inter-district road, who would be most thankful to the BJP-led government for ensuring expeditious and judicious implementation of the project.

Even if a bridge component of the 40 km road is pending completion the fact that the work, which was initiated under rehabilitation and upgrade project in February, 2020 by the Bhartia Infra Projects Limited (BIPL) with PWD as implementing agency, would be part of the NEC's celebration has demonstrated that sincerity and focus of work agencies could effectively overcome obstacles such as unfriendly terrain and hostile environment.

For years, logistic issues, difficult geographical condition of Manipur's landscape, disturbances caused by anti-social elements and land compensation disputes have been the usual excuses of the work agencies for delaying important projects.

But in the case of the Kamjong-Konkang Thana road, there were no serious issues thereby testifying that proper planning, taking into confidence village authorities and impressing upon the local populace through speedy and satisfactory execution of any project could negate the general concept that work agencies are profit-oriented and project monitor officials have lust for commission.

Without an iota of doubt, the apprehension that work agencies and officials aren't interested in judicious execution of projects would eventually dissipate in case other ongoing and upcoming projects are completed within the target set, more importantly without compromising the work quality.

As all the infrastructure projects implemented in the state are financed by the Union government, the state government must ensure strict adherence to standard quality guidelines failing which there might come a time when the central authorities depute its own monitoring teams or cancel sanctioned projects, which in turn would be a huge embarrassment for those helming the affairs in Manipur.