Leimatak bailey bridge inaugurated SPF Govt committed to equal devt : Ranjit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 24 2010: A new bailey bridge constructed over Leimatak river along the historic Old Cachar Road (also known as Tongjei Maril) has been inaugurated today by Works Minister K Ranjit.

As one Hamilton bridge built over Leimatak river during the British period had worn out and was not traffic worthy, PWD built a new bailey bridge over the same river at Nungleiband at the cost of Rs 2.49 crores from SPA fund.

Material components for the bailey bridge were supplied by Kolkata based MS Garden Bridge.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function, K Ranjit lamented that constructing the bridge took more time than expected due to disturbances from certain quarters.

Congress leaders take a walk on the newly built bridge

Starting the process of issuing work orders till execution of the work at work sites, the department is facing various sorts of disturbances and impediments, the Works Minister claimed.

The SPF Government led by the Congress party under the leadership of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and MPCC president Gaikhangam is fully committed to bring equitable development in both the valley and hill districts.

Stating that Manipur is a proud Nation having a recorded history of more than 2000 years where different communities have been living together, Ranjit asserted that the Manipuri communities can never break apart.

All the people of Manipur should stand united and defeat the nefarious designs of some who are out to create fissures between the hills and the valley, Ranjit said.

Significantly, today's inaugural function was planned days ahead so as to present the newly constructed bridge as a Christmas gift to the people on Christmas eve.

However, an ADC Member named Daniel asked the CM and the Works Minister through a written representation not to take part in the inaugural function.

Such selfish conduct driven by their own personal interests was unbecoming of a public leader, Ranjit lamented.

In response to the State Government's consistent effort to develop the historic Tongjei Maril road, the North Eastern Council has approved Rs 84 crores for development of the same road.

To take this approved amount, the department is preparing the necessary detailed project report.

Development work of Tongjei Maril would begin before 2012 .

Moreover, the Union Government has given its consent to upgrade Tongjei Maril as National Highway 53 A .

The Centre has also approved another proposal for a new road of length 185 Kms which would connect Bishnupur to Haflong in Assam via Rengpang, Khongsang, Tamenglong and Tousem.

This proposed road would be constructed in the form of a super highway, Ranjit stated.

In his presidential speech, MPCC president Gaikhangam strongly castigated ADC Member Daniel's request to the Works Minister not to attend the inaugural function.

No one should raise any obstruction to people's welfare activities.

One should not politicise development, Gaikhangam advised.

Informing that the Chief Minister would commission a power sub-station at Rengpang on January 17, Gaikhangam asked if the Chief Minister should be asked not to come to Rengpang this time too.

"We would not be cowed down.

We would rather march ahead.

We were born in Manipur and we would die in our motherland", Gaikhangam stated.

Nevertheless, he observed that there have been some minor disturbances to the Government's dedicated efforts to make Tamenglong the most developed district in the State.

The inaugural function was also attended by Tamenglong ADC Chairman G Shyam Haomei, ADC Members, Tamenglong DC, SDO Nungba and village chiefs.