MVA sets deadline for resumption of PMGSY road work
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 13 2024: The Maku Village Authority (MVA) has drawn the attention of the state government to the ongoing issue of the unfinished PMGSY road from TO2/BRTF Road to Maku village in Kamjong district.

The village authority has set a 15-day ultimatum for the construction agency to resume their pending work, and reminded them of the possibility of facing legal consequences if they fail to comply within the given timeframe.

Addressing the media at Sentinel College campus, Phungreitang in Ukhrul town on Wednesday, Maku Development Council chairman Aleng Shaiza conveyed villagers' vehement displeasure and shock over inaction of Manipur State Rural Development Agency (MSRRDA), Rural Engineering Department and the Government of Manipur.

He appealed to the relevant department to initiate immediate necessary actions against the erring contractor for failing to comply with the guidelines of PMGSY and to take measures to ensure that the road construction resumes as per the approved norms.

"If the work does not commence within 15 days, MVA will have no choice but to pursue further necessary actions.

We will be compelled to take recourse to legal means or whatever is deemed necessary," he warned.

According to Shaiza, the project, PMGSY Road Package No MN-KMJ (A) MN09153 Phase-XI, was awarded to M/s HVS Construction Materials Pvt Limited for the construction of a road from TO2/BRTF Road to Maku village.

The tender amount for the project was set at Rs 334.69 lakh for a total stretch of 8 km.

The work order, dated October 27, 2018, had set a timeline of 18 months for completion of the project, with a deadline of April 26, 2020.This timeline was specified in detail and was expected to be adhered to strictly.

Despite this, no progress has been made towards completion of the project within this time frame, he rued.

Additionally, the maintenance cost for the project for five years from April 27, 2020 to April 26, 2025, was quoted at Rs 46.02 lakh.

However, the construction has been already lapsed and even the maintenance period is due to expire next year but none of the required work components have been fulfilled, he pointed out.

Moreover, the package was to include the construction of five retaining walls, 10 breast walls, six culverts, and 80 metres of pucca drain.

However, the agency has completed none of these components, which is a clear violation of the terms and conditions stated in the work order, Shaiza claimed, raising concerns over the progress and quality of the project.

"It has been fifteen months since the work was put on hold, but there has been no progress towards resuming it," he lamented, adding that the contractors, as well as the department concerned MSRRDA, and the state government have all shown lack of sincerity and displayed apathy towards the struggles being faced by the people living in the hills due lack of proper road connectivity.

He continued that the local villagers are appalled by the flagrant immunity that fraudulent contractors and sub-contractors seemed to possess, protected from any consequences or punishment.

"It is likely that they are colluding with state officials, further enabling their deceitful actions.

For instance, M/s HVS Construction Materials Pvt Limited commenced the shingling work in late 2020 despite numerous complaints, but inexplicably abandoned the site citing machinery maintenance and other needs," he contended.

According to Shaiza, the contractor resumed shingling work in 2022, only to abruptly leave in December of the same year, leaving the shingling work in total shambles.

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