December deadline set for Nambul river project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 20 2011: A top official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) has tentatively set December this year as the deadline for completion of the ongoing Nambul River project.

However, the official in the same breath, hastened to add that the rainy season might constrain them to defer the deadline.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, IFCD Chief Engineer th Indramani said construction of retaining wall along the Nambul river is currently on in full swing.

Highlighting that downpour during the rainy seasons is bound to inundate some work sites where progress has not been up to the mark, consequently forcing cessation of the work, he maintained that no efforts would be spared to resume construction activities whenever or wherever possible.

The Chief Engineer also informed that under the technical expertise of out station construction firms, the retaining wall project is being implemented by a number of contractors/sub-contractors and under various sources.

The retaining wall along the banks of the Nambul river

From Keishampat bridge upto the Khwairamband keithel Hump Bridge, the project, classified as Improvement of Nambul River Front, has been assigned to Imphal Branch of Simplex Project Ltd for implementation out of the 2009-10 fund allocation of Rs 14.13 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNRM), he informed.

About 100 labourers are being engaged in this section where work commenced from January this year and also include two foot-bridges besides the river bank support-wall.

Informing that the construction work from Maharani Thong (bridge) to Sagolband meino Leirak section is being handled by special contractor Ch Iboyaima Singh under the 2010-11 Special Plan Assistance (SPA) provision of Rs 8 crore, Indramani described progress of the work as 'almost complete' .

Against the engagement of over 200 labourers in this section in the initial stage, there are about 30-40 men working round the clock at this juncture, he said to substantiate that the work is in its final phase.

Stating that the work from Meino Leirak upto Naoremthong (bridge) is being executed by different contractors/sub-contractors, the Chief Engineer said the southern bank of the river in between naoremthong and Takyel Khongban section is being developed under the concept of Accelerated Irrigation Benefited Programme (AIBP) of the Brahmaputra Board.

Disclosing that the Rs 7.35 crore work has been divided among 25 contractors and sub-contractors, Indramani said re-construction of retaining wall at Takyel Khongban section is underway after locals complained of sub-standard work.

The northern bank of the river from Naoremthong upto Iroisemba is being developed under the financial allocation of NABARD with the Rs 9.8 crore project assigned to 30 contractors, he maintained while adding that the work is about to be completed.

It is informed that dredging as well as levelling of the Nambul river bed is one of the components of the project.

Expressing that presence of crematoriums along the river bank particularly at Wahengbam Leikai, Sagolband and Uripok areas is likely to dilute utility of the project or its purpose, he hoped that ongoing consultation with representatives of the respective localities would bring the desired effect in reducing number of crematoriums.