Work progress of Capitol Project
Volatile situation throws work process behind schedule
Source: The Sangai Express / Athokpam Jiten

Imphal, April 29: In the light of the massacre of 15 migrant workers in different parts of the State last month, problems faced in transportation of the required construction material from outside and frequent imposition of bandh and blockade among other hindrances, the deadline set earlier for completion of the construction work on the ambitious Imphal Capitol Project is likely to be extended further.

The work on construction of the project being taken up at an estimated cost Rs 141.42 crores was started in January 2006 with the target of completing the work within 30 months.

However, there has been no progress in the construction work of the project which is still at the foundation stage (lying of the piles) even though the project duration is due to expire in June-July this year. Following the last month's incident of killing migrant workers at different parts of the State, the workers of the Simplex Infrastructure Limited, which is the implementing work agency of the project are still being apprehensive and not being able to concentrate in their work.

Not long after commencement of the work on the project , it had remained stalled for three complete months following interference from UG elements.

During that period, most of the labourers of the construction company have also been shifted and utilised in other work sites, according to an official of the Public Works Department (PWD) of the State Government.

Even at present, there is lack of adequate skilled labourers in taking up the construction work of the project while the local labourers face the problem of communication, the official disclosed.

Work progress of Laxmi bazar while the spadework for Ima Keithel (A) has remained static (B)

Apart from the necessity of bringing in all the required construction materials like steel, iron, cement and sand from outside Manipur, the construction company has been facing the problem of illegal taxes imposed along the road, the official said, adding that the incident of frequent bandh and blockade in the State has also resulted in tardy progress of the construction work.

Nonetheless, the construction company has done an excellent job in maintaining the quality of the work.

If there is no hindrance, laying of the piles would have been completed long ago, the official said, adding that in all around 2000 piles have to be laid and the work is nearing completion.

Once this work (laying of the piles) is completed, construction of the main structure would not take much time, the official assured.

In view of the slow progress of the work due to various factors, Simplex company has also requested for extension of the deadline of the construction work on the project, the official added.

As to the construction of the High Court complex being taken up as part of the larger capitol project, the work is going on and progressing smoothly as it does not involve much of the complex technical works, the official informed.

The official, however, declined from giving any comment on the construction work of the multistoreyed Nupi Keithel of Khwairamband Bazar.

Although most of the construction works related to Luxmi Bazar and New Market have been completed, work on Purana Bazar is yet to take off.

When the women vendors of the market approached the CM in this regard recently, the latter assured that the three market sheds would be inaugurated at the same time.