Some sections of Imphal-Jiri highway fit for plane landing, claims CM
Won't compromise on quality of works, says Biren
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2024: Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that his Government will never compromise on the quality of roads, bridges and buildings.

Replying to a policy cut motion raised by K Meghachandra while discussing PWD's Demand for Grants which amounted to Rs 1974,72,48,000 in the State Assembly today, the Chief Minister stated that the State Government would not tolerate sub-standard works including roads, bridges and buildings which do not adhere to technical specifications.

In addition, the work agencies/firms would be held accountable if they could not complete the contract works allotted to them within the stipulated periods, Biren said.

Some sections of Imphal-Jiri highway fit for plane landing, claims CM

Of the total 1723 Kms of National Highways which run in the State, 1407 Kms are under the care of NHIDCL, 5 Kms under BRO and around 310 Kms under the State PWD.

At present, National Highway projects worth Rs 1300 crore are being implemented in the State.

These projects are being funded by MoRTH and NEC.

Construction of 94.49 Kms long section NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh highway), Pallel-Chandel road (18 Kms), Tamenglong-Khongsang road and Tamenglong-Haflong road (96 Kms) have been completed, the Chief Minister informed the House.

N Biren maintained that some sections of Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH-37) are fit for landing aeroplanes although other sections where there are land compensation problems are extremely deplorable.

As there is no binding land law in the hill districts, acquisition of land and payment of compensation often run into serious hurdles, the Chief Minister said.

Replying to observations made by K Ranjit, Biren said that a DPR has been sent to the Central Government with a request to sanction Rs 45 crore under RIDF for construction of the road from Wabagai Lamkhai to Sugnu.

For emergency repairing of the same road, an amount of Rs 2.95 crore has been set aside, he said.

Replying to a point raised by K Meghachandra, the Chief Minister said that meetings for formulating PWD's work programme have not been held since 2021-22 .

Increased liabilities is one major factor for not holding these meetings but the Government is now considering to hold these meetings, he said.

There is no question of the PWD neglecting local contractors.

But e-tenders held for mega projects were often won by firms based outside the State as they are better placed to complete the projects in time without compromising the quality of work, he added.

Biren cited the examples of externally aided and multi crore projects such as construction of concrete roads in Imphal and the Imphal Ring Road.

After listening to the Chief Minister's reply, Ranjit said that the State Government was saying DPR for construction of Wabagai Lamkhai-Sugnu road had been sent to the Centre in its earlier term too.

To this, Biren assured that the road would be constructed within the current financial year.

Old Age Pension

Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo has stated that his department has been working to add 17,000 people who have reached 60 years in the list of beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

Saying that the Social Welfare Department is unable to issue Old Age Pension cards in time or run Anganwadi Centre properly, Th Lokeshwar raised a policy cut motion.

Replying to the policy cut motion, H Dingo said that the total number of beneficiaries of the Old Age Pension scheme has reached 83,945 including 38,040 beneficiaries listed since the BJP Government came to power in 2017 .

For the Old Age Pension scheme, the Social Welfare Department has been spending Rs 20,14,68,000 annually, Dingo said.

There are 55,060 beneficiaries of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme which is sponsored by the Centre.

The department has been working to add 17,000 more to the list of beneficiaries, he said.

Dingo said that each Anganwadi Centre should be built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh with Rs 8 lakh borne by MGNREGA and Rs 2 lakh by the Social Welfare Department.

Replying to an observation made by O Surjakumar on the huge amounts spent by the State in procuring Phabou Nga for fermenting them into Ngari, H Dingo who is also in charge of Fisheries Department has that his department would work to launch a programme for sustainable development of fish in the State.