Association warns of stopping NH project
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 12 2021:
Demanding payment of pending land compensation for National Highway project from Lanva Bidge to Singhat, the National Highway 102B Chiefs' Association has warned of banning the project from May 15 onwards if the authority fails to pay the pending compensation by then.
In a statement, the association said that the construction of the National Highway 102B undertaken by NHIDCL was considered as a boon to the tribal society in the area but it turned out to be a mismanaged project by the authority.
This project was the first of its kind sanctioned by the government in the remote part of the country since independence.
Connectivity with neighbouring states remains inaccessible as transport vehicles could not negotiate the muddy trail.
As such the association took keen interest in the project and decided to monitor the work so that the quality and standard specification of the highway is not compromised.
Accordingly, without much negotiation on the land compensation rate, the association with the only expectation of having a good road for the first time in history accepted the rate of Rs 8 per square feet which is the lowest land rate in the state and the whole of Northeast region.
However, the association is worried over the mismanagement of the whole construction work till date.
It was unfortunate to witness low standard of construction, which is way below the expectation of the association.
The road construction could not withstand the first down pour experienced on May 4 where in many places of the finished work like pucca drain, protection wall and earth filled bypass road were washed away forcing the workers to work till midnight to make emergency pass for stranded vehicle.
Besides, payment of compensation amount for land, structures, standing trees and all resurvey amounts is pending till date.
While the contractor has completed earthwork by clearing all structures and trees along the constructed road, all payment was kept pending for the reason best known to them, the statement said.
It then stated that the association has resolved to halt all construction work from Lanva Bridge to Singngat from May 15 for an indefinite period until the authority completes all pending payment and complies with the tendered specification for the project.