ICHAM blames Govt's negligence
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 11 2016:
Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) has alleged that the Government's negligence is responsible for the pathetic condition of Imphal-Jiribam highway.
Speaking to mediapersons at their Lamlong office today, ICHAM president N Rajendro said that the Imphal-Jiribam highway deteriorated to such a sorry state because BRTF has been constructing/repairing the highway just for namesake.
Even though the highway is fit for wallowing by buffaloes, the State Government has not been paying enough attention.
Even though several crores of rupees were invested on the highway, it has improved very little.
He went on to question the State Government's failure to intervene even after knowing that the BRTF has been lethargic of constructing the A total of Rs 21 crore and 33 lakh was sanctioned in 2015 for repairing Makru bridge and adjoining sections of the highway but the dilapidated sections have not been repaired yet.
Another Rs 11 crore and five lakh was sanctioned last year for repairing the highway at Awangkhul but the repairing work has not been initiated till date.
Rajendro said that ICHAM supports the indefinite bandh called by the Rongtnei Naga Youth Organisation (RNYO) along Imphal-Jiribam in protest against the authority's failure to repair its dilapidated sections.
The State Government is still unable to take BRTF to task and set definite deadline to complete the highway construction work.
He said that BRTF should be sent away from Manipur.
BRTF told ICHAM in 2010 that highway construction materials were not available and people settled along the highway were not cooperating.
The BRTF's assertion was a blatant lie as testified by the incessant tunnel construction at Tupul under the Jiribam-Imphal railway work project.
It is rather disgusting that Congress and BJP have been blaming each other for the pathetic condition of Imphal-Jiribam highway.
He also hailed TDC for sending 300 truck loads of stones for repairing dilapidated sections of the highway.