Fencing work for PM's visit pegged at Rs 1 Cr
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01 2011:
Cash-strapped Government of Manipur will be spending nearly Rs 1 crore for erecting temporary fencing at some specific zones of the capital city in connection with the proposed visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on December 3 .
Inspite of the temporary fencing work on the verge of completion, it is informed that the implementing agency the Public Works Department-is yet to process the official sanction order.
amid boycott call by different armed outfits against the high profile visit and overshadowed by the blast at Palace compound area yesterday, not only has the Government taken up security measures in Imphal areas in an unprecedented manner, but the entire route of the VVIPs has been barricaded with temporary fencing.
On either side of the road stretching from Tulihal Airport upto Palace compound via Keishampat Junction the fencing work has been completed.
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By tonight similar fencing work on the northern side from Raj Bhavan upto Chingmeirong, passing through Khoyathong-Kanglapat junction is likely to be completed.
An official source said the fencing work demarcating the public viewing zone and the visiting delegates is being taken up under the Public Works Department with the total cost estimated at Rs 80-90 lakhs.
Despite the Kanglapat road considered to be a secured zone from the security point of view especially due to location of residences of the Governor, Ministers and MLAs on the western side of the road, the State Government is taking no chances consequently erecting fences on both sides of the NH-39 stretch.
Even though major portion of the fencing work has been completed the Department is yet to process the official sanction order till date, disclosed the source.
The source explained that notwithstanding the boycott of the VVIPs' visit by armed groups, high turn-out is expected consequently leading to the policy makers initiate relevant measures for ensuring the visit pass off without any security hitches.