"Govt bears liability of Rs 500 cr"
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 25 2023:
Current-ly, the State Government is bearing a liability of around Rs 500 crore under the major head 5054 .
This was stated by Works Minister Govindas Kon-thoujam while discussing a demand pertaining to his department in the State Assembly today.
Saying that PWD is now facing a very precarious situation, Govindas pointed out that the total length of National highways in the State is 1723 Kms and NHIDCL is in charge of 1407 Kms.
While BRO is responsible for 5 Kms, the State PWD is in charge of only 310 Kms, he said.
Govindas informed the House that the State PWD is still looking after 9610 Kms of different roads including State highways (763 Kms), major district roads (1286 Kms), other district roads (1128 Kms) and rural roads (6421 Kms) .
Of the total 9610 Kms, 553 Kms cannot be developed even to the WBM stage and they are still in the earth formation stage, the Works Minister said.
For development of all these roads, the State Government has been seeking funds from several funding agencies, he said.
There are certain areas against which huge amounts are earmarked in the State budget.
These amounts shall come from ADB's inter-State connectivity project, North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme, North Eastern Council, North East Road Sector Development Scheme and Road Infrastructure Development Fund etc, Govindas said.
Imphal-Kangchup road is being developed at the cost of Rs 1437.44 crore with funds obtained from ADB.
Due process has been initiated to hold tender by March for construction of Imphal ring road at the cost of Rs 1398.16 crore.
Moreover, the State Government has been expecting Rs 4000 crore from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for rigid pavement of Imphal roads, he said.
If the roads of Imphal are constructed with rigid pavements, the funds earmarked in the budget for these roads can be diverted to other roads, he added.