No misuse of PMGSY fund: Chief engineer
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 26 2022:
While clarifying that there has been no fraudulent withdrawal of PMGSY fund meant for construction of the Noney-Charoi Chagotlong, Tupul-Chagomang and Noney-Nungnang roads, chief engineer (rural engineering department) Pantising Thaimei said that construction works on these roads are in progress.
Speaking to newspersons during inspection of the roads carried out on Friday along with Department's engineering officials, Pantising Thaimei contended that as construction of the Charoi Chagotlong to Noney road under PMGSY fund is still underway there is no valid reason for release of the final bill as claimed by the Congress party.
He also said that the department had never declared completion of Noney-Nungnang road nor made final payment for the PMGSY project.
Regarding the ongoing road construction works, additional chief engineer Kh Ratan told media persons that contract work for Charoi Chagotlong 3 to Noney road spanning 13.5km was assigned to special contractor Ch Susil.
He said that the allegation of completion of the road and final payment for the road project was totally wrong as the department has neither declared completion of the road construction nor has released the final payment.
According to Kh Ratan, WBM phase for Charoi Chagotlong 3 to Noney road is underway after completion of GSB work and payment for GSB stage had been made so far.
Out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 6.41 crore for the project, balance amount of Rs 3.83 crore is yet to be released, he said, adding that 18 months' time was given for completion of the project but it could not be completed in time due to COVID-19 pandemic, rainy season, delay in land acquisition process and court cases.
He further said that misunderstanding about the project emerged due to mention of stipulated date of completion on the sign board issued by the Government of India and there were numerous factors that led to delay in completion of projects under PMGSY phase 1 & 2 .
Regarding the 17.5km long Noney-Nungnang road, Kh Ratan said that the contract work for the project was assigned to special contractor Th Nodiyachand and there was no declaration on completion of the project or final payment made.
Sanction of the PMGSY road project was done in two stages (7123/7124), the first stage spanning 8km and the second stage spanning 9.5km thus totalling 17.5km and works under the two phases include earth work and construction of protection wall and culvert.
After completion of these stages and WBM, BT work is progressing at some portions of the road, he said, adding that the work order for the project also includes Rs 79 lakh for repairing.
He also said that around 70/75 percent of the road project has been completed so far and the project would be completed soon if weather permits.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Contractor Association Forum convener Th Somorendra said that MPCC president K Meghachandra's allegation of contractors withdrawing PMGSY fund without completion of Tupul to Charoi Chagotlong 3 road and Noney to Nungnang road was baseless and works for both the projects are in progress.
He also said that there were numerous factors which delayed completion of the projects in time.
One main factor was COVID-19 pandemic and other one was state government's inability to deposit PMGSY fund released by the Government of India into the MSRRDA's account in time, he added.
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