Road project: USCF urges firms to bid appropriate
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2025: The United Senior Citizen Forum (USCF), 43 Phungyar Kendra, has urged that the Shangshak-Tengnoupal road widening and improvement project should not be executed belowthetenderedcostofRs429 crore.

The Forum said that Niraj Cement Structural Limited, the lowest bidder, quoted Rs 227 crore, a staggering 47.2 per cent reduction from the tendered cost of Rs 429 crore for the National Highway 102A project.

Representing 25 villages along the Phungyar-Shangshak stretch, the Forum has written to the Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari, demanding that the company should not be allowed to execute the work and a retender be issued instead.

Speaking to the media at Kabo Leikai today, USCF secretary David Zimik said that they welcome the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' initiative to upgrade the Phungyar-Shangshak road to a two-lane highway, a stretch that has long been in disrepair.

He also thanked Nitin Gadkari, Governor, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Works) and PWD's Chief Engineer for the initiative.

However, the quality would be compromised if the project is executed by the lowest bidder, he said and urged the authorities to re-tender the project.

Demanding that the quality and sustainability be prioritised during the project's execution, he warned that the villagers would resist the projects implementation if their grievances are ignored.

The stretch of National Highway 102A is in a dire state, David said and stressed that executing the project below the sanctioned tender cost would severely compromise its quality, safety, and longterm durability.

Saying that their concern arises from past experience, he added their concerns stem from witnessing how substandard projects disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable residents.

He demanded that the contract should not be awarded to Niraj Cement Structural Limited, the lowest bidder, under any circumstances, stressing that a Rs 202 crore reduction from the sanctioned cost is unacceptable.

Executing a Rs 429 crore project at just Rs 227 crore would be a betrayal of the people who have been demanding to upgrade the road, he said.

The project might get executed by the lowest bidder somehow, but quality would definitely take a hit, he cautioned.

He also appealed to the contractors of both Manipur's hill and valley districts to look into the matter.

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