State gets just Rs 1.75 Cr for OR
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15 2024:
Out of the total funds sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for ordinary repairing (OR) of National Highways across the country in 2023-24, Manipur has been allocated a paltry Rs 1.75 crore.
The State Government has been allocated just Rs 1.75 crore for ordinary repairing of National Highways as most of the National Highways of Manipur have been taken over by NHIDCL which is a public sector undertaking of MoRTH, sources said.
Since NHIDCL took over Imphal-Maram section of Imphal-Mao highway, Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami highway, Imphal-Moreh highway and Imphal-Jiribam highway, the State Government has not been getting any substantial amount for repairing National Highways.
When the State Government was in charge of these highways, it used to receive substantial amount from MoRTH for repairing, ordinary repairing and in the form of new sanctions annually, said the sources.
With almost all major National Highways taken over by NHIDCL and many major projects entrusted to other agencies, the State Public Works Department (PWD) has been facing a very precarious situation, according to the sources.
On the other hand, MoRTH has not yet made necessary sanctions for construction/repairing of National Highways which are still under PWD.
Nonetheless, MoRTH is expected to make necessary sanction for original work on Mayai Lambi or Imphal-Kakching Lamkhai road (NH 137A), said the sources.
But the expected sanction would not be a big one for all major projects have already been taken under the wings of NHIDCL.
NHIDCL has already garnered the mega project of constructing an elevated highway from Koirengei to Nityaipat Chuthek, Nityaipat Chuthek to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport and Nityaipat Chuthek to Canchipur.
Meanwhile, MoRTH has allocated Rs 50 lakh to the State this financial year for flood damage repairing, added the sources.