NH-37 work to start afresh over sub-par quality allegations
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 19 2025: The blacktopping work on the National Highway 37 portion between Oriental College gate and Patsoi Part 1 was halted and ordered to begin afresh after officials found the quality of the road construction sub-standard.

The action followed a viral video alleging the use of inappropriate materials in the project.

The roadwork had resumed earlier this month after a four-year hiatus, during which only surface milling was carried out under the pretext of a road expansion project.

Local residents had expressed mounting frustration over the delay and the deteriorating condition of the road stretch, which led to severe dust pollution and health issues for people living and working along the highway.

NH-37 work to start afresh over sub-par quality allegations

On March 21, residents of Patsoi Part 1, led by the local Meira Paibi Lup and clubs, imposed a blockade on NH-37 to demand immediate renovation of the road.

The protestors highlighted the hazardous conditions caused by the flying dust and pollen, which had particularly impacted shopkeepers and households situated near the road.

The protest lasted for three days before being called off on March 24, following an assurance from authorities that road renovation would commence without further delay.

The assurance was made during a meeting convened by Imphal West deputy commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar at his office on March 24 this year.

Present at the meeting were representatives from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Avantika (I) Limited - the work agency - along with local clubs and Meira Paibi representatives.

It was resolved that blacktopping work would start the next day and be completed within two months.

However, concerns over the quality of work resurfaced after a video went viral on Friday showing what appeared to be sub-standard construction practices.

The video alleged that Balu shingle and gravel were being mixed with bitumen, a violation of standard road-building protocols.

The footage triggered public outrage and prompted officials to inspect the road stretch.

NH-37 work to start afresh over sub-par quality allegations

Consequently, construction crews used excavators to scrap the newly laid bituminous surface, and the work was ordered to be restarted from scratch.

According to persons familiar with road construction projects, the National Highway project appears to have violated guidelines laid down by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

These guidelines provide clear specifications for different layers of road construction, including sub-grade, granular sub-base (GSB), wet mix macadam (WMM), bituminous macadam (BM), and bituminous concrete (BC).

The sub-grade is required to meet a minimum compaction standard of 98 per cent maximum dry density and a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of about 5 per cent.

The GSB layer, typically between 150 mm to 200 mm thick, must meet specific gradation standards.

The WMM layer, which provides structural strength, generally ranges from 200 mm to 250 mm and must be adequately compacted.

The BM layer, used as a base course, typically has a thickness of 50 mm to 100 mm, while the top BC layer, serving as the wearing course, is expected to be about 40 mm thick and meet stringent stability and durability standards.

Experts told The People's Chronicle that if core cutting samples from the current project are tested in a certified laboratory, they are likely to reveal major deviations from these specifications.

Such testing, they said, would be crucial in determining whether the materials and construction methods used align with national standards.

As the road project now faces fresh scrutiny, both public and official focus has shifted to ensuring accountability and quality control.

Residents have voiced hope that with renewed attention, the highway - vital for connectivity and daily commute - will finally receive the standard of construction long denied to it.