Minister fumes over non-removal of drains on NH 37
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 07 2022:
Health minister Dr S Ranjan has expressed anger against defying the government's instruction to remove drains along NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) as the drains fall in the middle of the highway in the four laning project of the highway, which will be part of the Trans Asian Highway.
A reliable source said that the existing width of NH 37 from Oriental College gate to Keithelmanbi is 48 feet.
Following the proposal of the state government, the ministry had approved four laning of the highway by widening the road up to 80 feet and consequently the government issued notification for land acquisition while process for payment of compensation had begun through DCs concerned.
In the meantime, NHIDCL is taking up renovation project of the same section of the highway with construction of roadside drains.
As the drains will fall right in the middle of the highway when the project for four laning of the highway is taken up, works minister Govindas Konthoujam had in June this year asked the contractors concerned for abrogating the drain work and road renovation project until the drains are shifted.
However, the road renovation project continues without removing the drains.
Meanwhile, Konthoujam MLA and health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan inspected the project in Khumbong and Moidangpok area on Monday and expressed fury on seeing continuation of the work without removing the drains.
He directed the contractor to stop the work immediately and not to resume until the drains are removed.
Stating that the state government had already conveyed the information to NHIDCL in the past, he asked why NHIDCL and the contractor are continuing the work, which will become redundant in a few months' time.
According to a resident of the area, whose land is affected by the road widening project, the way NHIDCL is executing the current project smacks of lack of communication and understanding between the government and NHIDCL.
He enquired if ministry of road transport and highways is aware of the four laning project at all.
He also questioned the reason for land acquisition if the four laning project has not been approved.