Imphal, February 04 2010: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has declined proposal of the State Government to shoulder responsibility for improvement/construction of the Singngat-Singjol-Tuivai road, also known as Guite road, in Churachandpur district.

An informed source disclosed that 25 BRO Commander Brig Balaraj promptly turned down Chief Minister O ibobi Singh's personal proposal to take charge of the road construction work at a meeting convened at the CM's conference hall today.

The meeting presided by the CM was reportedly attended by Horticulture Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Works Minister K Ranjit, Principal Secretary (Finance), MLA Hangkhanpao, MLA V Hangkhalian, Chief Engineer (works), Superintending Engineer (National Highway Division), representatives of Zoumi Students Federation (ZSF) and Churachandpur District Civil Society Organisation, besides the BRO Commander.

After the State Government officials pointed out that out of a total amount of Rs 82.52 crore sanctioned by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Public Works Department had already utilised Rs 30 crores in secondary/preparatory works of the said road, the Chief Minister reportedly proposed to the BRO to begin black topping works with the balance amount which Brig balaraj opposed.

The NEC had sanctioned the said amount to the State PWD in 2006 out of which the latter initiated relevant works including road re-alignment, construction of retaining walls and culverts along the 129.18 kilometre route with the expenditure of about Rs 30 crores.

From the balance amount of Rs 50 crore, the PWD floated tender for black topping works but could not begin the assignment owing to certain disturbances, the source recounted.

With the Chief Minister keen to utilise the fund in its totality and in the backdrop of some Churachandpur NGOs demanding that the black-topping work be handed over to the BRO, today's meeting was convened to find an amicable solution to the ongoing imbroglio.

At the meeting O Ibobi conveyed to the BRO Commander that the balance amount of Rs 50 crore would be deposited in the BRO account in the next 24 hours to facilitate work resumption from the next day itself.

With Brig Balaraj not interested in the assignment as the same was sanctioned to the PWD by the NEC and expressing that after complete utilisation of the sanctioned amount in the road development works, the BRO could take charge of further maintenance/development of the road the meeting failed to yield the desired result.

On its part members of the Churachandpur civil society organisation suggested that either the balance amount be utilised/diverted in other works or the same be returned to the NEC.

The source further conveyed of the State Government officials clarifying that diversion of the NEC fund to other sectors was out of question and the Chief Secretary himself chipping in that as the balance is of substantial amount there is urgent need for its utilisation in the same purpose for which it was granted.

However, as representatives of the Churachandpur bodies stuck to their stand that the BRO be entrusted with the task of completing Guite Road black-topping the meeting ended inconclusively.

Inspite of the Chief Minister informing to the participants that a fresh date be fixed to resolve the road row, there was no positive response from the civil society organisation.

Mention may be made that the State Government had been prevailing upon the BRO authorities to take charge of the Guite road construction but to no avail till date.

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