Zeliangrong bodies object to taking away works from BRO
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, October 01 2013:
Zeliangrong bodies have urged Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh to intervene in connection with the decision of the Government of Manipur to handover all the works related National Highways and some major roads of the State from BRO to PWD.
In a memorandum submitted jointly, the Zeliangrong bodies referred to the media reports and said that it has come to light that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govt.of India has subsequently asked the state govt.officials to send representation for taking away the Imphal- Jiribam NH-37 and NH- 150 from BRO alleging that BRO has failed miserably in maintaining and developing the highways in spite of investing huge amount of money.
The memorandum was jointly signed by Chairman D.Akhao and Secretary SK.
Adipou of Chairman of Land & Properties Owners Association NH- 37/39'; SP Athui Chairman of Zeliangrong Union Tamenglong Zone; Aniliu Gangmei, President of Zeliangrong Women Union Manipur; Achunnah Pamei, Co-ordinator of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Tamenglong District; Kagangai Gangmei, Chairman of Zeliangrong Youth Front Tamenglong Zone; Athanbou Pamei, Chairman of Village Authority Chairmen Council Tamenglong District;Mathiuripou Pamei, President of Traders Association Tamenglong; Kairiliangbou Moita, Chairman of Association of Tamenglong and Mathiusang Panmei, Chairman of Joint Forum for Transport Welfare, Tamenglong district.
In the memorandum , these Zeliangrong bodies made it clear that they are against decision of the Government of Manipur to take over the works related to the National highways and some major roads from BRO 25 BRTF and 765 BRTF.
They also alleged that almost all the state PWD offices in the hills district HQs are defunct with not even the lowest ranking engineer stationing.
So, the question of maintaining the highways by the State PWD is a pure mockery.
Backing the BRO, the memorandum stated that the service of BRO is appreciable although the pace of maintenance work on the NHs especially NH- 37 (imphal- Jiribam) is comparatively slow in comparison to the fund invested as perceived by all.
But the reason for slow pace in maintenance and development of the road is due to the fact that the work cannot be accelerated on account of frequent disturbances by convoy goods laden trucks plying along the highway, frequent damage of roads & drainage due to construction works of NF- Railway line in the vicinity of the highway, short supply of stones & sand at minimal (affordable Govt) rates due to price rise as the demand becomes high for construction of NF- railway line and for the other purposes.
The joint memorandum also made it clear that The memo also stated that a strong decision was taken by all the civil frontal organisations and students bodies representing the general public to stand united in appealing the state as well as the central govt.not too hand over the works of BRO to the state PWD Manipur on National highways.