Imphal, July 03 2010: Development works along the National Highway 39 has been stalled on account of the unsettling situation prevailing in the State in the wake of the attempted visit of NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah to Manipur and the decision of the State Government to prevent his entry.

The Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways had sanctioned Rs 39 crores for the development of the National Highway stretch from Maram to Taphou and Rs 12.5 crore for the stretch from Taphou to Changoubung.

The Ministry had also sanctioned another Rs 13 crores for the purpose of development of the National Highway section from Tendongyan to Koirengei, which is a stretch of 7 kms.

The proposed developmental works include expansion of the road evenly, construction of drainage system and laying bitumen.

Information received from the Public Works Department said that following the sanction of the Ministry necessary work order for construction/development of the road stretch from Maram to Taphou, Taphou to Changoubung and from Tendongyan to Koirengei have already been issued.

While developmental work along the road stretch from Tengdongyan to Koirengei has commenced, work on the other two road stretches namely Maram-Taphou and from Taphou-Changoubung have not yet been started as contractors are apprehensive of the prevailing unsettling situation.

The contractors were planning to install a Hotmix plant at Maram but the equipments and other required machineries remain stranded on the way as there is apprehension over safe transportation of these goods along the National Highway 39 .

Development along these three road stretches have to be carried out from the amount sanctioned by the Ministry for laying thick layers of bitumen.

As per the agreement, development works along these three road stretches have to be completed within February, 2013 .

After completion of these works, proposals have to be sent to the Ministry for necessary sanction for development of other road stretches.