Imphal, August 18 2010: Apparently at the backdrop of a contention over the taking over of the responsibility of maintenance works NH-53 from the Border Road Organisation (BRO) by the state government to be handed over to the PWD, villagers on both sides of the highway had refused collecting of sand and stones causing a hindrance in the ongoing improvement works on the highway.

To convince the villagers to allow the collection of the items, BRO officials today convened a meeting with the village chiefs and village authority chairmen at the headquarters of the 83 Road Construction Coy and urged upon them to allow the BRO workers to collect stones and sand from their village areas.

In the meeting that started around 11 am, officer in-charge of the 83 Road Construction Coy, Rajendrakumar requested the village chiefs and chairmen to allow BRTF and BRO workers to collect the items much needed for the road improvement works.

In response to the request, village chiefs and chairmen asked whether BRO is to continue handling the maintenance works of the highway or is it to be handed over to the PWD authority.

They also informed that PWD had already purchased stone and sand quarries from the village authority with handsome amounts, giving reasons behind stoppage of supply of the items to the BRO.

President of the Zeliangrong Union, Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, Amu Kamei who also attended the meeting insisted the BRO officials to prove that the BRO is taking full interest in improving NH-53 .

He also asked the BRO officials why the state government has decided to take over the road maintenance works raising questions that improper maintenance works, uncontrolled quality work of the government led to the present deplorable conditions of the highway.

Representatives of the Land Owners Association also exposed that compensation to be given to affected landowners in the highway improvement works are yet to be cleared for some affected land owners.

They have the right to protect their land as enshrined in the provisions of the Indian Constitution related to the protection of the tribal lands.

They have never handed over any portion of their land to the state or Central government.

The right to fence and build houses are still within their rights.

The second phase of land survey for widening the highway is near completion.

If the PWD takes over the highway, they feared work will be delayed again.

They alleged that the PWD officials could not even conduct land survey works.

They further said that they were getting Rs 4000 a month for allowing collection of stone and sand from their respective villages but the PWD was buying the quarries by investing money in terms of lakhs.

This has created confusion among the villagers, they mentioned.

In reply to the revelation of the village representatives, OC, Rajendrakumar said that he is neither a government servant nor a contractor but serving in a company.

He said even though the state government had taken a decision to take over the maintenance works of the highway, his office is yet to receive any official intimation.

The BRO official said that it is out of the rules of the company to invest funds in terms of lakhs to collect stone and sand.

He requested the village representatives to allow the BRO to collect the items as before.

After hearing the clarification made by the officer, the meeting resolved to resume supply of stone and sand to the BRO as in the past and to extend corporation to the road improvement works taken up by the BRO workers.

The BRO official also agreed to pay Rs 4000 per month to the village and to engage villagers as labourers in the works they would take up.

After the meeting the, president of the United Clubs NH-53, Khaba Nganba, the working president Th Mangi and general secretary Shidartha held further talks with the village chiefs and chairmen and discussed development and improvement of NH-53 .

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