Not pleased with BRO's work on NH 37, State takes case to Defence Ministry
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 29 2012: While admitting to slow progress of repairing work along NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam), which is currently being handled by Border Road Organisation (BRO), Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar on Wednesday said that the state government is not at all pleased with the tardy progress of work, thereby causing lots of inconveniences to the people.

Taking serious note over the difficulties being faced by the transporters and public alike, the state government has brought the matter to the notice of the Defence Ministry with the request for giving necessary instruction to the BRO, Ratankumar said.

The Works Minister was on an inspection tour with MLA Yamthong Haokip to take firsthand account of the progress made in repairing of the road under Saikul A/C .

The Minister and the MLA were also felicitated by members of Kuki Inpi and KSO during a simple function at Saikul Keithel.

Womenfolk of Saikul A/C highlighting their grievanves to the visiting Ministerial team and officials

Speaking at the function, Dr Ratankumar maintained that the Ibobi led Congress government has been giving special priorities to development of road communications in the hills districts.

Even though the state government is facing financial shortage, it has been requesting North Eastern Council (NEC) to sanction more projects for development of road communications in the hill districts.

He assured the gathering that the stretch of the road from Sagolmang to Molkon would be black topped very soon.

Besides, the government has kept Rs 1 crore in reserved for development of roads around Saikul Headquarter under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) .

The 174 km long Guite Road, 50 km long Rengpang-Tamenglong Road and the 115 km long Ukhrul-Tadubi Road have already been upgraded to the status of National Highway.

State government has also sanctioned another Rs 87 crore for upgradation of Kangpokpi-Tamei Road.

Moreover, the government is dicsussing upgration of the road from Bishnupur to Tamenglong with the DoNER Ministry.

Taking serious note over slow progress of BRO in repairing NH 37, he said that it is unfortunate that BRO is handling the work in such a sloppy nature.

The state government is not at all pleased that.

So, in addition to the earlier request made, the state government has conveyed the matter to the Defence Ministry for taking up necessary measures, Dr Ratankumar said.

Discussions have also been held with the Monitoring Committee formed at the instruction of Guwahati High Court Imphal Bench for monitoring the progress of road construction.

However, the outcome of the discussion is being kept secret since the High Court does not permit the government to disclose the resolutions arrived at during discussion with the Monitoring Committee, the Minister maintained, and categorically added that the state government does not believe that BRO could complete repairing work along NH 37 by March next year.

MLA Yamthong Haokip said that he invited the Works Minister to inspect the condition of the roads in Saikul A/C so that the government may take up necessary measures for speeding up the road repairing work.

The MLA assured that he would also invite Education Minister, Health Minister and PHED Minister for taking stock of existing developmental issues in Saikul A/C.Taking advantage of the visit of the Ministerial team, Kuki Inpi and KSO submitted memorandum to the Works Minister, MLA and other officials of Works Department enumerating various demands.