Committee to oversee works of engineering departments
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 06 2022:
It is responsibility of the government to look after deteriorating condition and inundation of roads in many parts of the valley as reported by the media recently but the government alone cannot always keep the roads in tiptop condition as cooperation and support from public is required, stated works minister Govindas Konthoujam.
Talking to media persons on Friday at his Old secretariat office, Govindas noted that print and electronic media have reported about water logging of roads in many areas of valley with the onset of rainy season.
It is a well-known fact that roads are not only lifeline of the people but also serves as important infrastructure for enhancing economy of the state.
Under the keen initiative of the chief minister, road improvement works are currently going on but road construction could not be completed all at once due to poor financial position of the state, he conceded.
According to Govindas, one main cause for damage of freshly black-topped roads is inundation of water due to lack of roadside drain or blockage of drain.
Hence, it is natural for freshly blacktopped roads to suffer damage within one year against its specified life span of four-five years.
Government will not be able to black-top a road every year as there is shortage of fund, he said and appealed to public to help the government by cleansing drains to prevent waterlogging.
Regarding inundation along NH-102 road near Singjamei police station recently, the works minister said that deliberate blocking of the drain by some people led to inundation in the area but PWD officials have cleared the drain using heavy machineries.
He also said that discussion on re-alignment of water outlet and drains for Imphal city which remains flooded even after a short spell of heavy rain was held with the chief minister and works for the same will begin very soon.
The department currently has 800 work charged, muster-roll and casual staff and these staff will be utilised for cleansing the blocked drains to allow storm water to flow naturally, he added.
On the matter of seemingly lack of coordination among different engineering departments, the works minister said that digging up of freshly black-topped road for pipe laying and communicable cable laying works are common in the state but PWD is blamed for the poor condition of roads.
In order to prevent this, a committee will be formed consisting officials of engineering departments including telecommunication to have communication among these departments, he added.
According to Gonvindas, total length of national highways in the state is 1700km but the state's PWD is responsible for only 300 km and the rest (1400 km) are under the responsibility of National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
However, public often blame the PWD for bad roads, he added.
The works minister also declared that roads in Paona and Thangal bazars in Imphal city will be developed very soon as these roads are included among projects to be executed within 100 days of the new government led by chief minister N Biren Singh.
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