Imphal, September 15, 2010: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that he desires for an alternative all-weather life-line since maintenance of the 222 km long Imphal-Jiribam road would not be possible with just Rs 10 crores.

The Chief Minister also stressed on the need for the public to come forward and contribute their mite towards ushering in peace.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of a day-long seminar on 'Manipur -The Way Forward' organised by Department of Administrative Reforms at Classic Hotel here today.

Delivering the key note address of the seminar which was also attended by senior consultant of Planning Commission and advisor of North Eastern Council (NEC), the Chief Minister said that Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways had quoted Rs 2 crores as the maintenance cost of Imphal-Jiri road while BRO had quoted Rs 10 crores.

But the truth is that it will be impossible to maintain such a long road within the amount cited.

Stating that what the BRO had done to the road stretch from Mao to Maram along Imphal-Dimapur road during the 30 years of maintenance can actually be known from spot inspection, the Chief Minister questioned why Manipur has been provided only meagre fund for maintenance of roads as against other States where funds are being provided generously.

As the impact of any incident that took place along the National Highway 39 (Imphal-Dimapur Road) either inside Nagaland or inside Assam could be felt in Manipur, we want an alternative all weather lifeline, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister asserted that in addition to the problems of frequent imposition of bandh, blockade and extortion activities, failure on the part of the Centre to release the required fund in time is one of the main reasons for the delayed in completion of development projects and schemes in Manipur.

The SPA fund for the current fiscal year has not yet been released although it is already September, the Chief Minister added.

In his address as guest of honour of the inaugural function, NEC advisor J Lhungdim pointed out that he was supposed to go to Mao tomorrow to inspect the Potato Farm in connection with releasing the second instalment of fund.

But there is yet another bandh tomorrow and if he does not go for inspection, there would be delayed in releasing the fund.

He also pointed out that though there is no fuel at the oil pumps, a lot can be seen along the road sides.

The State Govt should definitely do something in this regard, he added.

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