Sewerage Project left in cold limbo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 19 2025: From abandoned pits to dug up roads, the sewerage project taken up by the Public Health Engineering Department in Imphal and adjacent areas now lies abandoned showing no signs of progress whatsoever.

The project taken up under Sewerage Project Phase-I (Zone-I) reportedly came to a halt after a significant portion of the project's funds were allegedly withdrawn.

Moreover, the abandoned project sites, uneven roads, and uncovered pits have made several roads in Imphal prone to accidents.

The incomplete project has also left a mess, causing inconvenience to commuters, generating dust pollution, and reducing road space.

A private company based at Imphal is allegedly the implementing agency of the project.

A well placed source said that the private company abandoned the project after allegedly withdrawing a large chunk of money without completing the work.

It is reported that the said company allegedly withdrew about Rs 50 lakh for a project in Imphal Town alone, despite completing only minimal work.

The project has been initiated in some other places too.

The authorities, however, remain tight-lipped about the issue even though the project has now been stuck in a state of limbo.

As the lack of transparency and accountability adds to the frustration and anger among the locals, many people are calling for the Governor and the Chief Secretary to investigate the sewerage project in Imphal and penalize whoever are found misusing public funds.

The source also revealed that the same firm allegedly started work on some roads without proper approval from the Public Works Department (PWD).

PWD must clarify whether the contractor deposited money for digging up roads without authorization as per the source.

It is further reported that the PHED allegedly gave the work order for the sewerage project to the firm in November 2023 .

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