Culvert wing collapses on completion
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 15 2012:
Exposing the dismal quality of work, one wing of a culvert built over Thangsha Lok (gorge) at Longa Koireng in Sadar Hills collapsed on its own soon after it was completed.
Following collapse of the side wing on October 13, people are afraid to cross the culvert which is six metres wide.
According to Longa Koireng Village Authority Member R Rangsochun Koireng, the culvert was abandoned midway for a long time after the foundation was laid in 2006 .
People faced lots of hardships when the culvert was left incomplete for a long time as the culvert was a crucial link between Longa Koireng, Khogen, Thangjing Chiru, Khonglong Part I, Khonglong Part II and New Keithelmanbi.
In view of the hardships faced by these villages, people appealed to the then Works Minister K Ranjit to complete the culvert when he came to inaugurate Longa Koireng bridge on December 11 last year.
After inspecting the incomplete bridge, the Works Minister assured that the culvert would be completed very soon.
|
After a gap of two/three months, work was re-started on the culvert.
The culvert was constructed by contractor named Karam Sunil, said Longa Koireng village authority secretary Kelsang Koireng.
Even though the contractor has been informed about the collapse of a side wing, he has not visited the site till date.
Observing that there was total absence of quality when the culvert was constructed, Longa Koireng Youth Club secretary R Ngirsokam Koireng sought immediate attention of the authority concerned.
On the other hand, one high-ranking PWD official told TSE that no information was given to the department before work on the culvert was re-started.
As for the main abutment which was already present, PWD has no knowledge about it.
It is not clear whether the main abutment was constructed under MGNREGS or who built it.
PWD never put the particular culvert in its work programme nor any work order was issued nor any agreement was signed to construct the culvert, clarified the official.
It is not a new thing in this State where contract works are executed in the most casual manner with the sole motive of earning maximum profits while completely ignoring public safety and qualitative aspects of the projects.