Imphal, January 23 2010: Keeping in view urgency of repairing NH 39, the State Government has decided to start premix carpeting of NH 39 immediately with funds of the State.

This was decided during an official meeting presided by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today.

Even as PWD has floated bids from pre-qualified contractors for strengthening the highway and last date for submission fixed on February 10, the State Government decided to take up the premix laying work immediately in view of the deplorable condition of the highway.

A press release issued by the Deputy Secretary (Works) Th Amalkumar said that rehabilitation work which includes laying WBM on damaged portions, improvement of drain and clearance of side-berm has been taken up along Maram-Taphou section of NH 39 with Rs 2.67 crores sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

However, there is no provision for blacktopping as there is already a sanction for strengthening of the same stretch at a cost of Rs 39.25 crores.

Saying that tender process for the strengthening work has already taken time and completion of the work to be taken up portion by portion shall take nearly three years, it informed that an estimate amounting to Rs 5.26 crores for premix carpeting to keep the road traffic worthy was submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on September 11, 2009 .

As the sanction is still awaited, the State Government decided to start premix laying work with its own fund.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sanctioned Rs 12.59 crores for strengthening Taphou-Changoubung sector and another Rs 13.40 crores for strengthening Tendongyang-Koirengei sector of NH 39.Tender has been floated for both these works.

However, there is no sanction as yet for strengthening the portion from Changoubung to Tendongyang.

It further appealed to all sections of society, particularly the general public of Senapati district to extend cooperation towards improvement of NH 39 and not to resort to bandh/blockade which wil only hamper the development of the lifeline to the desired level.

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