CM sets Nov deadline for Sanjenthong
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 12 2014 : Noting that shutdown of Sanjenthong has been causing some inconveniences to the general public, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh declared that construction of the vital bridge would be completed ahead of this year's Manipur Sangai Tourism Festival, normally held in the latter part of November month.

Apart from constant conveyances to engineers of Public Works Department, who are monitoring the bridge reconstruction work, officials and personnel of Simplex Project Limited, the construction agency, have been advised to ensure round the clock work, said the CM while speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of an inspection visit this morning.

Explaining that mostly steel materials and prefabricated slabs would be used in the bridge construction, he mooted that putting in place the prefabricated structures brought from outside the State would not require extended period of time.

CM inspects Sanjenthong reconstruction work

further stating that the new bridge would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore, Ibobi disagreed with the general concept that closure of Sanjenthong has been a stumbling block for the people in reaching to their respective destination.

Opining that people/vehicles heading towards Imphal west from the direction of Wangkhei or Keirao may take the Minuthong route while those from Thoubal district's yairipok and other areas have the option to ply across Thumbuthong, Loklaobung and Singjamei bridges, the CM also pointed out that vehicles from further north of Imphal East district can reach the commercial and administration hubs in Imphal West district through the Lamlong or Heingang bridges.

As there are so many bridges connecting the twin capital districts the hue and cry being raised over the closure of Sanjenthong seems unwarranted, said Ibobi, who is in his third term as the Chief Minister of Manipur.

He, nevertheless, urged the people to bear inconveniences, if any, for sometime and reiterated that the bridge would be ready for normal traffic ahead of the annual tourism promotional event.

The CM's inspection tour, accompanied by Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh, Chief Engineer (PWD) M Lokendro and other department officials, also included assessment of infrastructure development work in JNIMS Hospital and Assembly Mini Secretariat.

Informing that infrastructure development work of JNIMS Administration Block and Auditorium is being targeted for completion by March next before the same structures are formally handed over the Medical Council of India, a team of would be visiting the State early next year, the CM said there should be no laxity completing the project within the stipulated time-frame.

Further stating that construction of the Hospital's Gents hostel would be completed at the earliest possible, the CM said despite possibility of accelerating main structures interior works normally takes time.

At the construction site of assembly Mini Secretariat the CM noting that the work is progressing at a satisfactory pace and expecting completion within the March 2015 target, however, observed that the project work might be finally complete by May next.

Confiding to newspersons that the CM has issued strong instruction to complete Sanjenthong within the specified period, PWD officials said that 50 labourers skilled in bridge construction are being engaged in the project.

apart from the State PWD monitoring the project work undertaken by Simplex Project Limited no other work agencies are involved in it, they maintained.

Estimating cost of JNIMS Hospital administration block and auditorium constructions at a total of Rs 400 crore and noting that 80 percent of the project has been completed, they said the projects were undertaken with funds sanctioned in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

The Assembly Mini Secretariat, construction of which started in 2011 by Simplex Project Limited, is in the final stages of construction, said the officials adding that air conditioning of the entire block/rooms is a component.