State bans highway drain work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2022: The State Government has prohibited further construction of drains along Imphal-Jiribam highway from Oriental College to Khumbong.

Notably, it is the first time that the State Government has prohibited a project executed by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in Manipur.

With Works Minister K Govindas in the chair, a meeting was held in the mini conference hall of Secretariat on June 17 where concerned Deputy Commissioners, PWD engineers and officials, officials of Forest Department and Revenue Department and NHIDCL engineers were present.

The meeting reviewed road projects and other works being executed by NHIDCL in the State.

State bans highway drain work

Apart from discussing several issues, problems, complaints and action taken reports, the meeting also deliberated on the drains constructed on either side of NH 37 from Oriental College to Khumbong.

Without any planning, the drains were constructed inside the highway which otherwise should be constructed on the edges of the highway leaving out a considerable width beyond the highway, sources informed.

During the meeting, the NHIDCL officials were apprised of this fact and also the possibility of encroachment upon the highway portions left out beyond the drains.

The NHIDCL officials were asked categorically to stop the drain construction work.

The State Government had also written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to halt the drain construction work, informed the sources.

The State Government has made it clear that the drains constructed along NH 37 from Oriental College to Khumbong should be demolished and the same drains should be constructed anew on the edges of the highway.

But there has been no response from MoRTH till date, said the sources.

The State Government is also considering to develop a mechanism under which projects executed by NHIDCL in the State can be monitored effectively, the sources added.