Khangabok body picks flaws in highway expansion project
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 14 2021:
Social Welfare Organisation (SWO), Khangabok has urged the state government to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines issued for widening of the Imphal-Moreh road.
While contending that width of the highway in Khangabok sector varies at different locations with some of the expanded road only 75 feet wide against the mandated 100 feet despite same amount of compensation paid to the project-affected families, SWO secretary L Basanta demanded clarification by the authorities concerned on reason for lack of uniformity for the same project.
While cautioning that the Organisation will launch intense agitation in case the project authorities do not rectify the flaw, he also suggested that the road width along the Khangabok stretch should be limited to 75 feet if the same compensation amount cannot be ensured.
There is also rampant corruption with regard to payment of compensation for land and property affected by the road project with many marginal land and property owners'receiving higher compensation amount by bribing officials concerned compared to those affected severely by the project, he claimed and further alleged that there are many instance where compensation has been paid to persons who do not own any land or building affected by the road.
Despite; repeated complaints authorities concerned are yet to initiate necessary remedial measures, the secretary maintained.
SWO also questioned work quality of NH1DCL/GRIL and contended that drain constructed by the company leaks even during light drizzle in addition to use of red soil instead of gravel mixture.
Moreover as a consequence of the project officials undermining the need for proper installation road diversion signage accidents occur frequently, it said.
A public meeting was organised over the various project anomalies during which the gathering resolved that widening of Imphal-Moreh road will be limited to 75 feet in the entire stretch of the Khangabok area; payment of compensation to landowners at the earliest and action against corrupt officials along with close monitoring of the project by the government for maintaining quality, it further stated.