Imphal, June 16, 2010: Reacting to news reports published in some sections of the newspapers regarding lackadaisical atttitude of BRO men in clearing landslide debris along NH-53, Hqs 765 BRTF 2IC Lt Col Prashant Gaur has said that the BRO's role has not been projected in the correct perspective in the said report.

Maintaining that a number of landslides occurred due to heavy rain at various locations between Keithelmanbi and Barak section along the highway, Lt Col Prashant Gaur said that one JCB excavator, one pay loader and mobilization of other resources were immediately pressed into action to clear a massive landslide which occured at Km 54 in the early hours of June 10. He added that due to the hardwork of BRO men and machinery, the road was opened to light vehicles in the afternoon of June 11.The Lt Col claimed that the equipments reportedly utilised by the State PWD for clearance of the landslide can at best be considered as symbolic only.

All the effective work was done by the men and machines of BRO only, he added.

The BRO officer further said that the role of security agencies at the site was limited to control traffic only.

Had the security forces heeded the BRO men and not let the heavily loaded trucks, which got stuck, to enter the troubled section, vehicular movements could have restored on June 11 itself, he claimed.

He added that BRO has pressed one excavator, three pay loaders and a large number of labourers into action on Imphal-Barak section of NH-53. Citing illegal quarrying between Km 23 to Km 36 as the main reason for frequent landslides, the Lt Col said that in spite of prolonged correspondence with civil administration as well as village heads, the menace is still not checked.

He further said that the mud which comes out from the formation cutting of railway line from Jiribam to Noney has choked and damaged a number of side drains and culverts between Noney and Awangkhul.

Maintaining that various village approach roads constructed under NREGS and PMGSY do not have any side drain at take-off points thereby blocking the drain and flowing rainwater on the highway, he said that the water has damaged the pavement of the highway.

The Lt Col said that the maintenance from Km 105 to Km 145 (Barak bridge) had to be stopped since April 2007 after certain groups of the area imposed ban on the entry of BRO men and machines in the area.

The sector remained abandoned for about a year and hence, the condition of the road deteriorated irretrievably, he added.

Lt Col Prashant Gaur said that the State Government has been apprised about the problems being faced in the maintenance of the highway, but no step has been taken up so far.

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