Coordination failure creates chaos
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2012:
Despite the justification often cited by the Government that some inconveniences must be encountered on the path of development, lack of coordination among contractors and authority has been wreaking havoc on the roads of Imphal for many years now.
Notwithstanding all the benefits that may be reaped from the Sewerage Project being implemented at Imphal with technical support from France, the nature of executing the project has pushed Traffic Police to the tenterhooks while the commuters have been inconvenienced to an unprecedented level, even sometimes leading to heated arguments or scuffles amongst themselves.
Though Zone I of the project was targeted for completion in March last year, large holes and excavations are still adoring many busy roads of Imphal because of the same project.
Even today, excavation works are going on.
After excavating the busy Kanglapat Road just in front of the Raj Bhavan, the hole was filled up and damaged road was repaired and black topped.
But another excavation is being made near the same area.
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Likewise, a large excavation has been made in front of the Chief Minister's bungalow.
Not long after the main pipes were laid and the main hole filled up at Moirangkhom near MSRTC complex, another excavation is underway on the busy highway.
Nevertheless, a high-ranking PHED official maintained that the zone I of the project would be completed by March next year.
Unlike in the past, there is no paucity of fund for the project, he said.
On the other hand, one Traffic Police personnel said, "We are at our wits end.
Literally, there is no road at Imphal which has not been dug up" .
Today too, the road on the eastern side of Keishampat bridge was dug up after closing one lane of the busy road for laying underground pipes which would supply water to Paona Bazar.
Moreover, even if many of the holes have been filled up, they were never restored to their position.
The holes were filled up by using earth and some stones in the most casual manner.
One PWD official said that the dug up portions of the road were repaired and black-topped thinking that the excavation works have finished.
But the same roads have been excavated anew which means a huge loss to the State exchequer.
Even as complaints have been lodged, nothing has come out of it, decried the PWD official.