Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 19:
Contrary to high expectation that Manipur will be well connected when the Central Government announced that the task of developing National Highway would be handed over to the Border Road Task Force (BRTF), the latter is yet to commence the assigned works.
According to a highly placed source in the Task force the Director General BRO, New Delhi has not yet officially instructed BRTF officials concerned to begin the work contrary to intimation to the DG from the Union Defence Minister on this end.
It is pertinent to note that the State Cabinet had recently decided to entrust development/construction of National Highways connecting Manipur with other States to the BRTF which was further confirmed when the Union Minister (MoS) of State for Commerce and Industries Jairam Ramesh confirmed that the tasks of road constructions has been handed over to the BRO.
The source mentioned that BRTF unit concerned is ready to take up the new project provided they receive work sanction from the BRO as well as the required resources including both manpower and machinery.
If the BRTF stationed in Manipur receives such recommendation it would take up part of the NH-39 route from Maram till Moreh having a total length of about 186 kilometres and the 84 km long yaingangpokpi to Churachandpur district headquarters along the NH-150, the source further said.
Construction of Churachandpur-Tipaimukh road on the latter Highway that would connect Aizawl is underway in full swing, disclosed the source while commenting 'we have so far completed construction of about 60 kms from Churachandpur'.
Construction of the Tamenglong-Khongshang road taken up by the BRTF from May this year is also progressing at a favourable pace, the source further claimed.