Sloppy DPR hampering ISBT work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 18 2012: Owing to gross error in the detailed project report (DPR) the on-going construction of Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is facing fund shortage which is likely to hamper construction of no less than 20 parking bays within the sprawling complex.

Included among the major projects undertaken by the Secular Progressive Front Government and officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in December last despite being incomplete, construction work for some components of the project to be funded by the State Government is yet to commence while some others are only at the initial stage as relevant orders had not been issued till date.

With the project taken up under the objective of accommodating inter-state passenger carriers far from complete, rows of buses lying on both sides of the Imphal-Dimapur national Highway-39 at DM College gate portion as late as noon on a daily basis has been a common sight.

According to a source in M/s Sri Avantika, the construction agency executing ISBT project, incompatible DPR is likely to delay the project, if not completely derail it.

The incomplete parking bay (left) and electrification work of the Inter State Bus Terminus

It is said that the DPR included project works such as construction of the main building, side-platform, central platform, waiting hall, parking bay, road works, drainage system, sanitary facilities and electrification.

With the exception of the drainage system, sanitary facilities and internal electrification, all other work components of the project have been completed out of Rs 24.53 crores provided by the North East Council, said the source.

Stating that the three work components yet to commence are supposed to be implemented from the Government of Manipur's share of 10 percent (Rs 4 crores) funding out of the total project cost, the source revealed that apart from non release of the said share even relevant work orders have not been issued till date.

Despite delay in the official procedures the construction agency has reportedly been advised by the State Government to go ahead with the remaining tasks which the agency duly complied with and is nearing completion.

It is also informed that owing to oversight/error in the preparation of the DPR, some project components such as laying of tiles, glass panelling, roof and ceiling works, included in the original plan, have to be left out for executing such works would mean additional fund allocation.

with the said DPR and allocated fund found disproportionate when compared with the assigned tasks some of these works have to be abandoned, the source explained adding that even the parking space mentioned in the DPR was found to be very minimal, unlikely to accommodate larger passenger carriers.

Paucity of fund is also likely to result in excluding nearly parking bays on the southern end of the complex adjacent to the waiting shed.

Moreover, the agency also convinced the Govt for including parking bays on both sides of the central platform in the DPR for a uniform look of the structure, inspite of the State's initial decision not to construct one of the bays.

Even though the work agency has gone ahead with the assigned tasks inspite of non release of the State's share the agency is faced with the dilemma of whether or not the Government of Manipur will actually provide the pending fund.