Govt eyes Civil Secretariat in two months
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2022:
Construction work of the new Civil Secretariat, Chingmeirong which has been dragging for over a decade may be com-pleted within two months as it has been listed in the 100 days' action plan of the new Government.
Notably, foundation stone for the new Civil Secretariat complex was laid on October 18, 2010 .
According to information received from PWD, Building Division, the State Government has set a target of completing all the remaining works of the Civil Secretariat complex by June.
Sources said that toilet blocks, installation of doors and windows, flooring, painting and some finishing items are yet to be completed.
It is estimated that completion of the remaining items/sections would cost around Rs 400 crore.
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However, completion of a work of around Rs 400 crore within two months is a formidable challenge, said the sources.
The Simplex Project started construction of the new Civil Secretariat during the SPF Government which was headed by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi with the main objective of shifting key offices of Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Secretary, heads of departments etc from the old Civil Secretariat complex to Chingmeirong.
As the Simplex Project did not complete the construction work for a protracted period, the work order allotted to the firm was cancelled and a fresh tender was floated.
Subsequently, a new work order was issued to M/S Avantika for completion of all the remaining portions/items.
Notably, the contractor which was engaged earlier filed an arbitration case even as the Government initiated necessary procedure to penalise the contractor.
The question of cost escalation would be looked into after the arbitration case is settled, said the sources.M/S Avantika which has been allotted new work order for completion of the remaining portions/items of the new Civil Secretariat has not yet made any claim of cost escalation, the sources added.