MSRRDA CE sets record straight
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2015 : Reacting to a news report published on February 11, Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) Chief Engineer Ningthoujam Bapuchand has clarified that there was no question of manipulation or anomalies in holding e-tender for different road construction works taken up under PMGSY.

The road connecting Kamjong and Nambisa in Ukhrul district is not covered by PMGSY, he said.

Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat (North Block) office today, Bapuchand termed it unfortunate that the All Tribal Rights Protection Forum raised a number of allegations against MSRRDA under the influence of some vested interests.

If the forum goes on maligning the image of the agency in the name of freedom of expression without knowing the facts, there is no reason why a defamation suit should not be filed against them, warned the CE.

"All PMGSY works are being monitored by State Quality Monitors and National Quality Monitors.

In addition, the Additional CE, SE and other engineers including myself go to work sites regularly and inspect PMGSY works being executed there", Bapuchand said.

All PMGSY works are being executed strictly according to guidelines and MSRRDA will not tolerate any sort of compromise on work quality.

E-tender process was introduced since the 8th phase of PMGSY.

There was no question of manipulation, anomalies or nepotism in the process of holding e-tender.

Contractors/agencies whose profiles are eligible and most impressive are allotted PMGSY works.

In another work, if the contractors happen to be special class contractors of PWD or 1st class contractors of CPWD or 1st class contractors of Military Engineering Services and if they fulfil all the criteria laid down for the e-tender, they are qualified for executing PMGSY works.

Still they must abide by the PMGSY guidelines, Bapuchand elaborated.

Yet, this does not necessarily mean they should execute PMGSY works in the modes followed by PWD, CPWD, Ministry of Road Transport or MES.

There were instances when some people raised false allegations on the ground that the contractors were not executing the works in the modes generally adopted PWD, CPWD, Ministry of Road Transport and MES.

In some cases, fresh tenders were invited after some ineligible contractors joined the tender bid and complaints were filed at Court.

This delayed the e-tender process and as a result some construction works were also delayed, Bapuchand said.

Kamjong-Nambisa road is not covered by PMGSY.

So far, the Government of India has sanctioned 1544 works (construction of roads and bridges) between Phase I and Phase X of PMGSY for Manipur.

Out of the sanctioned works, 1050 works (extending from Phase I to Phase VIII) have been completed.

The total length of these completed roads is 4031 Kms.

At present, Phase IX works are being executed and due preparations have been initiated for holding e-tender for works sanctioned in phase X .

Earlier, bridges longer than 50 metres were not sanctioned under PMGSY but a new provision called Special Window Programme has been incorporated under which RCC bridges as long as 75 metres can be constructed under PMGSY.

But these bridges should be along the roads constructed under PMGSY.

MSRRDA has limited staff and majority of them were appointed on contract basis.

But they have been working not less 11 hours a day with the objective of implementing the Government of India's flagship programme effectively, the CE said while seeking public cooperation towards the agency's efforts.

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