Little road development works expected
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 26 2012: Even though a number of major projects were taken up/implemented under the previous SPF Government, it is unlikely that any major project would be taken up under the incumbent Congress Government from the State's plan amount as the Government is already enduring financial difficulties.

With the State Government unable to release much of the plan amount, there are already huge overdue liabilities which the Government should release to the Engineering departments.

The liabilities incurred by Engineering departments is highest in PWD and these include contract works sanctioned in 2004-05 .

According to an official source in PWD, the department is unable to finalise even the work programme, leave aside repairing worn out roads although the working season has already set in.

Only when the plan amount which would be released this financial year is ascertained, the work programme can be finalised.

However, as the State Government has not yet decided on the matter, the work programme, though outlined, is in total disarray.

The total length of the roads under PWD is 12618 Kms.

This is the combined length of Inter Village Roads, Major District Roads, Other District Roads and State highways.

Apart from that, certain portions of National Highways are being maintained by PWD.

At present, PWD is expecting Rs 15 crores from the State plan amount.

This amount is only a pittance compared to the total road length of 12618 Kms.

To pay the cumulative liabilities to contractors, PWD would need more than Rs 200 crores.

One reason for this swollen liabilities was the Government's failure to release bills in time for works sanctioned in 2004-05 .

As the project costs have escalated in the meantime, contractors have started demanding payment of liabilities calculated on the present rate, conveyed the official.

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