Rigid pavement roads : Safety protocol not heeded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 28 2026:
Even as the PWD Chief Engineer has urged all contractors to prioritise safety measures during project implementation, the lack of safety protocols in the execution of the cement concrete road (rigid pavement) under Manipur Urban Road, Drainage, and Asset Management Improvement Project (MURDAMIP) is still evident in Imphal.
There have been growing concerns about the construction of concrete roads in Imphal as the roads are being built with incomplete coverage, which leads to narrow spaces for vehicular movement and uneven road surfaces among other issues.
It is in this regard that PWD Chief Engineer Chongtham Bishwachandra directed all contractors concerned to prioritize safety measures during an interaction programme held on January 24 .
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He even ordered the cessation of the cement concrete road project until proper safety measures are in place.
However, despite these instructions, safety measures remain absent in some areas where the cement concrete road project is currently underway.
For instance, the lack of safety measures in implementing the cement road project is evident in several sections from Konung Mamang to Old Checkon, in front of Ananda Higher Secondary School.
The uneven surface created by the cement road, which narrows the original road width, makes the area prone to accidents.
Notably, the PWD Chief Engineer had directed that the road be levelled by filling the uneven areas with earth.
However, uneven roads continue to pose a risk to commuters in various areas where the cement concrete road project is being carried out.
The situation is no better in areas where earth has been used to level the roads.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, some locals of Nongmeibung claimed that quality control has been compromised in the execution of the project along the Konung Mamang to Old Checkon stretch, as cracks have already begun to appear.
They also claimed that the way materials have been placed beside the concrete road for safety has actually made the road more hazardous, as they were not properly arranged to create a stable, smooth, and safe riding surface.
They also said that dust generated from the roadside has caused serious discomfort to the people.





