Hidden cost of Sanjenthong laid bare !
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2015: The estimated cost of the new Sanjenthong has been put anywhere between Rs 29 and Rs 35 crore, but it has already taken a heavy toll on the pockets of the common people, as a survey conducted by an enterprising young man and some of his friends has shown.

The young man, Serto Tondana Kom twice conducted a survey of the vehicles which had to take a detour and pass through Thumbuthong on the eastern side of Moirangkhom/Yaiskul from October 10 to October 16 this year and again from October 25 to October 31 this year.

Taking the average figure of the two surveys, Serto and his friends worked out that the number of vehicles which had to take a detour towards Thumbuthong is 18,007.The additional distance that the vehicles had to take via Thumbuthong is 3.2 kms.

This meant that the commuters had to spend an additional Rs 42.2 by way of fuel per day.

Hidden cost of Sanjenthong laid bare !

The total number of days worked out from May 31, 2014 to November 15, 2015 was put at 535 days and after excluding 62 days which were lost due to bandh, general strike etc the number of days commuters had to take the diversion was worked out at 473 .

Taking the average number of 18,007 vehicles per day and the cost incurred by way of extra fuel per vehicle at Rs 42.2, the additional amount of money spent on movement along this route was worked out at Rs 7,59895.4 per day.

This meant that Rs 7, 59895.4 was lost per day.

Multiply this by 473 days and the total amount lost by taking the diversion was put at Rs 35,94,30524.3 .

At the moment (as on November 1) one litre of petrol in Imphal cost Rs 57.43 .

The loss calculated is sans the time lost in taking the longer route, the air and noise pollution etc.

Moreover this calculation was conducted only taking the number of vehicles passing through Thumbuthong and not the other diversionary routes like Minuthong.

Speaking to The Sangai Express Serto said that Sanjenthong may well be described as the most expensive bridge to have been built in Manipur.

He reminded that the Chief Minister himself had announced that the new Sanjenthong would be ready before the Sangai Festival last year and according to the agreement signed between the State Government and the work agency the new bridge should have seen the light of day by June 6 this year.

The failure to meet the deadline has meant not only inconveniencing the public but also subjecting them to huge economic loss.

This is an example of the Government abjectly failing to do its homework before taking up the project, he added.