BRO chief assures motorable road from Jiri to Awangkhul
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2012: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Commander Biny Bhalbro has assured State's Works Minister Dr kh Ratankumar that the National Highway-53 stretch from Awangkhul upto Jiribam would be maintained to a motorable route.

Conceding that black-topping of the highway stretch before the monsoons would be an impossible task, the Commander affirmed that laying of shingles would be completed within May to keep the highway in motorable condition throughout the year.

The Works Minister who met the BRO chief while on an inspection tour asked BRO officials present to provide an action plan report.

Since taking charge as the Works Minister, Dr Ratankumar toured the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of the Highway since May 7 for the first official assignment in order to personally assess condition of the Highway and oversee activities of the BRO.

It is said that with the Government of Manipur according top priority on expeditious development of the State's lifeline, the works Minister embarked on the inspection tour at the instruction of the Chief Minister.

Team led by the Works Minister inspect the NH-37 condition where work is underway

The two-day tour also included the Principal Secretary (works), Works Department officials led by the Chief Engineer, the BRO Commander, Transporters and Drivers Council president H Ranjit and ICHAM president N Rajendro (Boy) .

Along with inspecting the Highway, the Minister advised BRO officials to ensure that the road pose no problem to the transporters even during rainy seasons besides instructing them to submit action plan for regular assessment of the work progress.

Taking serious note of lack of quality control in black-topping work at Khambiron section of the highway, he issued strong instruction of the BRO officials to ensure that no complaint is received with regard to compromising work quality.

On his part, the BRO Commander assured that shingling work would be completed in between Awang Khul to Jiribam so that vehicular movement continues without any hindrances even during the rainy seasons.

Biny Bhalbro also drew the attention of the Minister on the disputes among owners of quarry sites and security problems as some of the factors for the BRO not able to progress at the desired pace.

Clarifying that the State PWD is not interfering in the BRO activities but is only monitoring the work in public interest, the Works Minister pointed out that the road development work is being updated with higher authorities of BRO on a regular basis.

Speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the inspection, Transporters and Drivers Council president H Ranjit said compared to the road conditions in 2010, the nearly 10 kilometre long highway section in Nungba area has developed appreciably.

He also expressed that in case the Government is committed development of the highway to a standard level could be achieved at the earliest.

Affirming that the transporters would continue to ply on the route inspite of difficult circumstances, he also suggested that mending the slushy portion of the highway would ease certain inconveniences being endured by the transporters.

Ranjit also desired that weak bridges at Barak and Makru be repaired without further delay along with expeditious development of the Transport Complex at Jiribam.

With the allotment of the land by the Chief Minister for the said Complex, the Council had been developing requisite facilities such as power connection, drinking water provision and rest rooms for both the transporters and travellers since 2010, added the council president.

As a part of the inspection tour, the Works Minister assessed progress of work of the Jiribam-Tipaimukh road, PWD guest house which is awaiting inauguration, ADC office complex and the Transport Complex at the Jiribam sub-divisional headquarters.

On the way back to Imphal, Dr Ratankumar was accorded a warm welcome at Kambiron village, which is the birthplace of freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang.

The reception programme was jointly organised by ICHAM, Kabui Mothers' Association, Zeliangrong Women Union and Kambiron Village Authority.

Speaking at the reception programme, the Works Minister conveyed BRO's assurance that the road development work of National Highway would be fully completed by March 2013 .

He also maintained that the local MLA would be consulted for constructing an approach road from the Highway to the native village of Haipou Jadonang.

The Minister also informed the gathering that fund has been released for development of the Khongshang-Tamenglong road which is to be executed by the BRO.

ICHAM president N Rajendro proposed to the Minister for constructing a rest house and development of tourist spots at Kambiron village.