Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 15 2010:
Even though government is understood to have invested Rs 36 crore in taking up improvement work of the stretch of the NH-39 from Taphou to Maram through the state PWD, there is no visible no improvement on that stretch of the highway.
Asserting that instead of improvement, conditions on the stretch of NH-39 from Taphou to Maram has worsened since maintenance works were taken by the state Public Work Department (PWD), the Maram Students' Union (MSU) declared today expressing desire that the road be handed over back to the Border Road Organisation (BRO).
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, president Pungdi S Celestine of MSU said that there has been no improvement in that stretch of the highway even though government had invested Rs 36 crore for improvement works.
He charged that the deteriorated conditions witnessed today is the outcome of the state government's handing over the maintenance and improvement work to the state PWD.
Such a poor condition was never witnessed in the past particullarly when BRO was looking after the stretch.
PWD had taken up improvement work recently but it did not last long apparently due to lack of quality control, Pungdi asserted that PWD authority had neglected maintenance works after the completion of the blacktopping.
Highway travellers are still face various problems crossing a 100 meter stretch of the highway at Maram Bazar where a heavy landslide occurred.
PWD is yet to take up repairing works on the portion till date.
MSU had officially apprised the prevailing condition of the road as well as of the homesteads destroyed by the land clearings at the place.
So far no work has been taken up with regard to the improvement of the road or for the rehabilitation of the affected families.
The local MLA has inspected the affected portion and the affected people but he has chosen to remain silent.
"We are not satisfied with the neglected conditions of the stretch of the road which is the lifeline of the state, the MLA added.