Contractor, engineer clarify
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03 2020:
Claiming that construction works on Yumnam Patlou bridge, along Imphal-Saikul road, has already been completed without a single penny from the State Government, the subcontractor involved in the work have demanded the authorities to pay off the pending amount at the earliest.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, the sub contractor Thoiba Lousigamcha said that the Yumnam Patlou bridge was built from the ground up as per a work order issued by the Department concerned.
He continued that normally, if bridges are constructed along a National Highway or a State Highway, funds should be included for a road diversion.
However, the work order for the Yumnam Patlou bridge construction did not have that , he claimed explaining that due to space constraints, a side of the old bridge was demolished first and slabs were poured.
He claimed that the Yumnam Patlou Village Development Committee, Morningstar Club Yumnam Patlou, United Women Volunteer Association Yumnam Patlou and the locals are demanding for the old bridge to be left alone and to complete the work on the remaining portion of the bridge.
He continued that till date, he has not taken any money and claimed that he did not perform jacketing of only some portions of the bridge to earn money through unethical means.
The subcontractor informed that in the interest of the people, the construction of the bridge was completed in an expedite manner and demanded the authorities concerned to provide the pending funds for the work.
On the other hand, EE Imphal East Sanasam Prakash said that after the AE informed him that slab work had been done at the bridge, he personally went to inspect the bridge on January 21 .
He then clarified that he was just doing his duties and some clips were used to show him in the wrong light by claiming that he was there to oversee the slab work.
He continued that on January 23, a letter was issued directing the contractor to demolish the slab work done without permission from the Department and the Chief Engineer.
However, the date was not printed on the letter due to time constraint, he said, adding that the next day, the signed paper was sent to PDCC through mobile.
Then the next day, the date was stamped on the letter and it was sent to the Chief Engineer, contractor, Additional Chief Engineer and SE.
A copy was also sent to the PDCC again.
However, PDCC has been producing the first letter without the date stamp and making various claims through the media, he alleged.
The Department did nothing wrong.
All processes were carried out as per the official channel and with proper approval from the Minister, Chief Engineer and top officials, he claimed.
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