PC fumes at tardy work over NH-37
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 02 2011:
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram was furious on observing the little progress achieved in the development work of Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH 37) .
It is reported that the matter would be produced in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The Home Minister after visiting Senapati and Jessami held a meeting with the Chief Minister at the latter's office this evening where several projects being implemented in the State including Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line were deliberated at length.
During the meeting, the Home Minister fumed over BRO's performance or rather non-performance regarding NH-37 development work.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, in a meeting held on December 10, 2010, directed the BRO to outsource the NH-37 development work to big and reputed companies.
Noting the act of outsourcing the highway development work to small companies in piecemeal manner, the Home Minister was furious with the BRO.
The Home Minister stated that escalation in project cost was immaterial as development work of NH-37 is a National project.
Noting that only 30 Kms from Imphal and another 40 Kms from Jiribam have been black-topped out of the 222 Kms long highway, and that tender for construction of Barak and Makru bridges have not been completed, Chidambaram stated that this only testified how the BRO has been working.
Observing that the BRO was not working with any dedication on a project to which the Centre has given its commitment, the Union Minister stated that the matter would be put up in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The meeting presided by the Union Home Minister was also attended by Chief Engineers and commanders of BRO's project Puspak and Sewak.
The meeting also reviewed the railway track laying work from Jiribam to Tupul.
The Union Minister was satisfied with the progress of the track laying work.
The meeting was followed by another meeting where the Union Home Minister reviewed the law and order situation of Manipur together with top officials of police, army, Assam Rifles and CRPF.