Tender for Ring Road, Rigid Pavement soon: Govindas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 25 2023: Opposition member K Ranjit has asked if the remarks he made against the CM and his government during election are the reason for the government ignoring Wabagai Lamkhai - Sugnu road.

He asked the question during the discussion on demand for grant of PWD in the ongoing state assembly session on Saturday.

Congress MLAs K Ranjit and Th Lokeshwar moved policy cut motion during the discussion.

While moving the motion, Ranjit said that he is a frank person and cannot keep secrets in his heart.

CM Biren and works minister Govindas Konthoujam were his colleagues during the Congress government before they shifted their allegiance to BJR Today, people are saying that CM Biren is furious if anybody mentions his (Ranjit) name and he heard that the CM is not willing to take up development works in his constituency.

He also heard that relationship between Hiyanglam MLA Dr Radheshyam and the CM is not at its best.

Considering these hearsays, he, sometimes, thinks if these are the reasons behind the government ignoring the Wabagai Lamkhai - Sugnu road, which runs through Hiyanglam and Sugnu assembly constituencies.

If this is true, it is very unfortunate since India is a democratic country and there is no room for such grudge.

Charge and counter-charge during election rallies are common and holding grudge for such poll related remarks is not a wise thing, he said, while urging the CM to let go of such grudge, if there is any.

Ranjit further said that he was the works minister from 2007 to 2011 and thus, has fair knowledge of the roads in every part of the state.

The Serou to Sugnu road is only three kilometres long and it lies in Chandel division.

However, the government took up Serou Lamkhai to Chakpikarong stretch of the road while leaving aside the 3 km portion, he pointed out, while seeking an explanation.

Stating that the 3 km stretch of road is in bad condition, he drew attention of the House to explore possibilities of laying shingles even if the government is in no position to blacktop the road, while keeping in view of the larger interest of the public; He also said that the Wabagai Lamkhai-Sugnu road was repaired by mending up potholes last year but the road is in bad shape now and it will become worst by monsoon season.

In his response, works minister Govindas Konthoujam said that there is no discrimination in taking up road projects under the leadership of the chief minister.

There is no advisory to leave behind some portion of a road.

Serou-Chakpikarong road was taken up as its package was sanctioned first.

Blacktopping for the Sugnu-Serou section will begin by March.

At the same time, the length of Wabagai Lamkhai - Sugnu road is 27.4 km and the Centre does not sanction lengthy roads.

As such, the government divided Imphal Ring Road into three packages.

The government is pursuing the sanction for Wabagai Lamkhai to Sugnu road before the end of March, he said.

The minister disclosed that the government is in the process of floating tender for Imphal Ring Road, which will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1398.16 crore in order to reduce traffic congestion in Imphal area.

The government has received necessary clearances for the project, which will be taken up under ADB funding.

Once the ring road is completed, economic activities of the commercial centres in Imphal could be expanded, he opined.

On the other hand, 'Improvement of roads within Imphal city with rigid pavement including concrete line drain' project will be taken up at a cost of Rs 3565 crore.

The project will also be funded by Asian Infrastructure Development Bank and tender for the project will be floated in April or May.

Once the project is executed, there will be no more fund allocation for road projects in some assembly segments of Imphal area in the state budget and as such, the fund can be utilised in developing roads in rural and greater Imphal areas.

He further said that rigid pavement is expected to last 25 to 30 years.

The minister further said that the government has submitted proposal for upgrad ing seven state highways into national highways.

With regard to the Tamenglong-Haflong road project, which has started with central funding, he regretted that affected land owners had earlier agreed to forgo land compensation contrary to which some land owners are now demanding compensation.

There are reports of some groups stationing in some hotels in Imphal area trying to claim land compensation for projects taken up in hill districts.

The government will investigate these groups and take up appropriate legal actions against them, he said while adding that these groups are hindering development works in hill areas.

While informing that the Centre had approved in-principle upgrading Imphal Yairipok-Thoubal road, Bishnupur-Nungba road, Moirang Lamkhai-Wabagai Lamkhai road to national highway in 2018, Govindas revealed that as no official order has been issued, the CM sent a remind er to the ministry.

Moreover, the government had proposed upgrade of Kangpokpi-Tamenglong road via Tamei, Imphal-Sagolmang-Saikul road, Tamenglong-Haflong road, Singhat-Behiang road to national highways.

The government is also taking up steps to upgrade some major district roads into state highways, he said while urging the members to suggest long distance major district roads in their respective constituencies, which could be upgraded to state highways.

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