Imphal, June 08 2009: Manipur works Minister, K Ranjit has expressed displeasure over the slow progress and sub-standard working of the improvement works of the Old Cachar road (Tongjei Maril).

He instructed the contractors and engineers concerned to work in full swing within the next 20 days.

Minister Ranjit along with top officials of the state PWD today visited the Old Cachar road to inspect the ongoing work of improvement of the road.

He also inspected the Hamilton bridge being constructed over the Leimatak river.

During his visit, the conditions of the stretch of the road were found in horrible state.

Minister Ranjit met with Suresh Kumar Jain, proprietor of SK Construction Works, and gave him strong instruction to start work to complete the bridge at the earliest.

Regarding the road improvement work, Ranjit told reporters that the then PWD Minister, Gaikha-ngam had handed over the improvement works of the road to SK Construction Works in August 2004 .

The total estimated cost of the scheme is Rs 3.44 crore which would be funded by the Central Road Fund (CRF).

After withdrawing Rs 1.46 crores out of the total fund, the work has remained incomplete for the last five years.

Owing to delay in the completion of the work, CRF has notreleased further fund till date.

He further said that failure on the part of the agency to complete the work in time, process for serving show cause had also been taken up.

But later on knowing that the works were handed over to sub-contractors of the agency and disturbances given by an underground group, the process had stopped.

Suresh while interacting with the reporters said that during the course of working, undergrounds had burnt down a JCP apart from taking captivity of labours.

After then they return home leaving the work place.

But government did not take up any step to check the activities of the undergrounds.

Works minister said, he knows the bad condition of law and order of the state but so much delay in the completion of the work was not found in any other works.

He also termed giving hindrance in the improvement works of this important road as unfortunate.

He also appealed the undergrounds not to give any kind of obstruction in taking up road improvement works.

Ranjit further announced that black topping of the 16 kilometer long stretch of the Tongjei Maril road connecting Joujantek to Khoupum village will also be taken up under the funding from the CRF adding that government has planned to improve the 62 kilometer long stretch of the raod from Bishnupur to Khoupum.

As a part of the tour, the minister also inspected a bridge constructed across the Leimatak River at Nungleiban.

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