The handing over of NH 53 to PWD
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 05 2011 -
THE CABINET has decided to hand over construction and maintenance work of the Imphal Barak section of NH 53 to the Public Works Department (PWD). The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had been entrusted with the work earlier.
Considering the tardiness of the BRO the step is a welcome one. The PWD has shown that it is capable of executing high quality work and this is borne by its excellent work on stretches of the Imphal Moreh section of NH 39.
If the PWD can deliver the goods it will have proved a few points to the people of the state. One is that we can learn to trust the department, and another is that the department's officials will have raised their self esteem and be confident of executing quality work on a routine manner.
It is an accepted fact that construction work on NH 53 is a difficult proposition. For one thing a lot extraneous factors are at play on this highway.
For another the lack of strong bridges restricts plying of trucks with heavier loads than at present. The state PWD know fully well the hindrances that could affect the transport of essential items to the state and many people feel that the department being a state department will be instilled with the expected urgency to make the highway an all weather road at the earliest possible time.
The public also feels that the state government can only have taken this decision because it was confident of carrying out the required work. This in itself is reassuring and a positive sign.
The PWD should be encouraged by this general sense of optimism and act in right earnest. The government also needs to be complimented for its stand. Its act reflects its understanding of the mood of the people.
If the Guwahati -Shillong road can be made into a four lane highway as is being done right now, surely we can take up construction of a two lane highway. After all we have the man power and we have the technical skill.
The only other major concern for the government will be to maintain the highway. It should not be left to deteriorate before another major construction work is taken up. The importance of the highway is too well understood to deal with again, but more than that making NH 53 an all weather road of quality but it will also be a symbol achievement.
That aspect cannot be sidelined.
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