'Hand over bridges construction work to TDC'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 22 2019:
Lamenting the deplorable condition of Barak, Irang and Makru bridges along Imphal-Jiribam road, Transport and Drivers' Council (TDC) has urged the Central and State Government and NHIDCL to hand over the construction and repairing work of the said bridges to the association if they are not up to the task.
Speaking to media persons at TDC office at MG Avenue today, its president H Ranjit alleged that despite numerous appeals to repair the said bridges, the Government and NHIDCL have failed to take any positive steps or provide any response.
No vehicle can cross Barak and Irang bridges now as they are completely unusable and dangerous.
This has greatly affected transportation of goods and essential items to the State, Ranjit said, clarifying that he is not trying to belittle the issues surrounding the State currently but is simply appealing for the authorities to do the needful for the welfare of the common people.
Pointing out that the wooden planks laid above the three bridges have all worn out, the TDC president said that the planks need to be replaced but when TDC tried to contact NHIDCL, all the official numbers were switched off.
There are no ways to contact NHIDCL and no workers or officials of the firm can even been seen at the sites as well, he claimed.
Making it clear that the lives of the transporters operating along the route are not comparable to the cost of new wooden planks, Ranjit demanded the Government and NHIDCL to hand over the repair work to TDC if they are not up to the task.
He continued that the work concerning transformation of Barak and Makru bridges into RCC, have been stopped since the last four to five months and demanded NHIDCL to give up if it cannot finish the work and let another competent firm handle it.
He also appealed for the tender process for transforming Irang bridge into an RCC, to be completed at the earliest.
Ranjit narrated that TDC has worked hard to improve the condition of the Imphal-Jiribam road and added that TDC will wait for the Government and NHIDCL to hand over the work to the association.
On the other hand, speaking about antisocial elements threatening the drivers along the road at various locations, including Nungba, Ranjit urged those concerned to refrain from doing so in the future.
There are two CRPF camps and one AR camp at Nungba and how are they not able to prevent such collection of illegal taxes, he asked, cautioning that in case any unfortunate incident befalls on the drivers, then the Government will have to bear the responsibilities.