Four bridges inaugurated in a day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2010: Works Minister K Ranjit Singh today inaugurated four bridges, including one that has been constructed with sanction from the Public Works Department of the State Government and other three with funding under Non-lapsable Central Pool Resources (NLCPR), and dedicated the same to the people.

The Bijoy Govinda bridge constructed over Nambul river with a sanctioned amount of Rs 60.96 lakhs from the Works Department was inaugurated by the Minister in the morning today.

After dedicating the bridge the construction work of which was stated on November 30, 2006, to the people, the Minister also inaugurated three other bridges namely the Kiyamgei Mang Mapa bridge constructed over Imphal river, Thoubal Haokha bridge over Thoubal river and Babu Bazar bridge also constructed over Thoubal river, one after another.

Works Minister K Ranjit inspects Bijoygovinda bridge

These three bridges have been construction with funding under NLCPR.

The sanctioned amount of these bridges are Rs 471.22 lakh for the Kiyamgei Mang Mapa bridge, Rs 275.50 lakh for Thoubal Haokha bridge and Rs 286.57 lakh for Thoubal Babu Bazar bridge.

Construction work on the three bridges began simultaneously on August 18, 2007 .

Speaking at the inaugural function of the bridge at Thoubal Babu Bazar as chief guest, Minister Ranjit, while highlighting the developmental works being taken up by the SPF Government, strongly refuted the allegation that the Government think about the National Highway 53 only when there is blockade along the National Highway 39 .

He asserted that Government acknowledges the importance of National Highway 53 .

Accordingly, after upgradation to the status of National Highway in 1980, the maintenance and development of the road has been entrusted to the BRO since 1960 .

However, after the construction work on Tipaimukh dam commences, around 10 bridges including Barak bridge and Makru bridge, which are located along the National Highway have been submerged under water.

However, even though the Ministry has suggested realignment of the road, no fund have been sanctioned for the development of the submerged bridges as well as the road portion, the Minister informed the gathering.

Still then, the State Government has decided to develop the road from its own expenditure and the BRO has been instructed for proper maintenance and construction of the road, the Minister added.

The Minister further said that after a lapse of around 20 years, election to the Autonomous District Council has been conducted with the efforts of the Government.

Apart from the consent given by 20 MLAs of the hills to ADC election in the Assembly, ANSAM had also endorsed the election.

But now it has opposed to the election and imposed economic blockade along the National Highways, the Minister said, while denouncing ANSAM as the mouthpiece of NSCN (IM).

Reiterating that Muivah would not be allowed to enter Manipur under any circumstances, the Minister charged the Naga rebel leader with causing the present imbroglio in Manipur.

He categorically stated that it is not the Government but Muivah who is responsible for the Mao Gate incident which led to the death of two students.

MLA Landhoni and MLA Meghachandra attended the function as guest of honour and president respectively.