Biren blames cost-cutting by contractors for infrastructure gaps in hills
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 19 2025: Former chief minister N Biren on Friday took to social media to address mounting concerns over the quality of infrastructure in the state's hill districts, highlighting systemic challenges that continue to fuel allegations of government neglect.

In a post on X, Biren shared data pointing to drastic cost-cutting by contractors in the hills, warning that such practices led to poor-quality road construction.

Responding to criticism over the disparity in infrastructure between the valley and the hills, Biren's post spotlighted how contractors in districts such as Jiribam, Senapati, Kamjong, and Ukhrul are submitting bids well below the government's estimated rates - by as much as 32 to 36.48 per cent.

"At such drastically reduced rates, how can we expect quality roads in the hills?" Biren wrote, attaching a comparative table showing contractors quoting below scheduled rates.

He illustrated the scenario asking how quoting as low as Rs 64-68 for work estimated at Rs 100 would bring good quality roads in the hills.

The post tagged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, indicating a call for oversight and intervention.

His remarks sparked immediate reactions online.

Some users demanded a public list of contractors responsible for substandard work, while others described the situation as a "serious injustice".

The post once again brought into sharp focus the long-standing hill-valley divide, where tribal communities in the hill areas have alleged neglect in development despite comprising over 90 per cent of the state's landmass.

The tribal communities, mainly the Kukis, have frequently pointed to inadequate infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the hills, often alleging that only 10 per cent of the state's development funds reach them.

Leaders, including BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip, have criticised disproportionate project allocation, citing examples like the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), under which 57 projects worth Rs 399.36 crore were allegedly prioritised for valley areas.

However, official data contradicts these claims, stating that the state sanctioned Rs 2,395.51 crore for road and bridge works in hill districts between 2020-21 and 2024-25, compared to Rs 1,300.21 crore for valley areas.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year alone, Rs 1,374.81 crore was allocated to hill districts, exceeding the Rs 1,125.97 crore allotted to the valley under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the North Eastern Council.

A senior government official has also noted that 45 per cent of the state budget over the past five years was spent in the hills, supported by a white paper presented to the public.

Of the 50 National Highway projects approved by the Centre, 44 - spanning 902 kilometres - are in hill areas.

Despite this funding, Biren acknowledged that work quality remains poor, while attributing the same to contractors' pursuit of work orders at unsustainably low rates.

"This practice undermines project standards, resulting in roads that deteriorate quickly and endanger public safety", he noted.

Compounding the issue is the persistent threat of illegal taxation by anti-social elements and insurgents along major highways.

Adding to the debate over compromised work quality, NSCN recently submitted a representation to the PWD chief engineer, urging the department not to issue work orders below the approved Schedule of Rates (SOR) for rigid pavement construction in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.

Citing a directive from the Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), the armed group warned that awarding contracts below the SOR undermines both quality and transparency.

It referred to an earlier directive from October 2024 that barred contractors from underbidding, arguing such practices lead to substandard work and violate resolutions passed by the group's Joint Council Meeting.

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