Sanjenthong Bridge, Imphal to be inaugurated today after a long wait
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 17 2015: After a long wait, Sanjenthong Bridge will be inaugurated on Wednesday.

The inaugural function will be graced by Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi as the Chief Guest while Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam will preside over the ceremony.

The Bridge was constructed by Public Works Department (PWD), Manipur.

The Chief Minister will inaugurate the bridge at around 8 am.

The introductory speech will be given by Additional Chief Engineer-II PWD Manipur followed by a speech from Chief Secretary, Chief Guest and President respectively.

Considering the requirement of constructing a new four-lane bridge in place of the then existing two-lane Bridge at Sanjenthong over Imphal River, the State Government sent a proposal to DoNER Ministry in 2013-14 to consider construction of the Bridge under NLCPR.

Sanjenthong Bridge, Imphal to be inaugurated today after a long wait

A note on the bridge available with Hueiyen Lanpao stated that an amount of Rs 10.00 crores was earmarked for the Bridge under NLCPR by MDoNER.

However, recognising the importance of constructing a bridge having high aesthetic value, in view of the locatfon of the bridge site, no DPR was submitted to MDoNER, as the earmarked amount was insufficient to construct the desired bridge.

Again, the Government of Manipur sent a proposal to MDoNER in the year 2014-15 to earmark a sum of Rs.37.00 crore for the Bridge by keeping the bridge at priority no 1 among the proposal from the state government.

While awaiting the approval of MDoNER, the State Government discuss in length the urgent requirement of the bridge and the time which the MDoNER usually take while sanctioning a bridge project The state government felt it more prudent to take up the bridge from the state budget and therefore accorded an Administrative Approval for Rs.31.313 crore on March 3, 2014.To reduce the construction period a steel arch bridge with sleek looking hanger system has been selected and the work was awarded to M/s Simplex Project Ltd.

after resorting to e-tender.

The stipulated time for completion of the bridge was kept as 1 (one) year, in view of the requirement of completion of bridge in the shortest possible time even though construction of a conventional RCC bridge of similar size usually take not less than 2 (two) years in Manipur.

Considering the importance of the bridge, the Government of Manipur even requested the firm to make the bridge trafficable before the Sangai Festival 2014 for the convenience of the public.

However, due to some technical and transportation problems, mainly due to the manufacturing of the hanger system at France and its transportation to India, transportation of heavy machineries required for launching the bridge from outside the State, Bandh and Blockade etc.

the bridge could not be made trafficable for Sangai 2014 .

The bridge will be inaugurated even though it is yet to be completed in all respect as per the scope in the work order, for the convenience of the public, said a source.