Ministry approves 4-lane road project: Govindas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 19 2022: Works minister Konthoujam Govindas has said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has approved four-lane expansion for around 15km-long stretch of Imphal-Keithelmanbi section of the Imphal-Jiribam road.

Minister Govindas chaired a monthly review meeting of road construction works including national highways of the state at his Old Secretariat office conference hall here on Tuesday.

The third such monthly review meet since Govindas became the works minister was also attended by chief engineer (PWD) Kh Temba and other engineers, representative of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and officials of home department.

DCs of 16 districts also took part in the review meet through online in view of the surging COVID-19 cases.

After the review meet, minister Govindas told The People's Chronicle that Prime Minister Narendra Modi heeded to the repeated requests of chief minister N Biren Singh for expansion of the Imphal-Keithelmanbi section of the national highway.

Further stating that the PM intimated the MORTH to approve four-lane expansion of the road extending to around 15km, the minister disclosed that subsequent to the ministry's nod, construction of drain on both sides of the road carried out in violation of norms will be destroyed and new drain will be constructed.

Regarding non-execution of works by NHIDCL despite allotment of 82.5 per cent of the total length of National Highways in the state, Govindas said that NHIDCL officials have been given strong instruction and the corporation cannot stop road development works in the name of land dispute.

The NHIDCL officials have been told to continue work at those sites where there is no land dispute, he said, adding that most of land disputes relating to road expansion process have been settled and NHIDCL is expected to bring a significant change in state's National Highways within the next four/five months.

Govindas also acknowledged that condition of Bishnupur-Rengpang road has worsened as it is being utilised as by-pass road after the Irang bridge on NH-37 road collapsed.

Subsequently, the review meet unanimously resolved that the state government and the NHIDCL will jointly approach the MORTH for fund for re-construction of Bishnupur-Rengpang road, he said, adding that the NHIDCL officials have assured of resumption of vehicular traffic over Irang bridge from July 28 .

He also said that he and chief minister N Biren Singh had even lodged a complaint to Centre about unsatisfactory works of NHIDCL.

After the review meet, minister Govindas visited Mantripukhri and inspected the ongoing construction works on civil secretariat and assessed if the project could be inaugurated by the August 30 deadline set by chief minister N Biren.

He also said that road repair works in Imphal city area is progressing smoothly as rain has stopped and the department is working intensively to complete all the works listed among 100 days point programme of the new BJP government.

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