New civil secretariat complex construction likely to complete by April
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 22 2025: Almost 95 per cent of the construction of the new civil secretariat complex at Mantripukhri has been completed, and the project, which started in 2010, is targeted for completion within the first week of April this year, stated chief engineer (PWD) N Subash.

Since assuming charge as administrative secretary for the works department, principal secretary AK Sinha inspected the ongoing construction of the new civil secretariat complex at Mantripukhri on Saturday.

AK Sinha, accompanied by N Subash, additional chief engineer N Uttam, SE (electrical) Ajmida Sahani, and relevant EE, AE, and JE officials, told the team to complete the project by the first week of April 2025.The chief engineer told media persons on the sidelines of the inspection visit that 95 per cent of the construction of the new civil secretariat has been completed, with only the installation of electro-mechanical materials/items remaining.

He noted that transporting these materials from outside the state is a huge challenge due to the current conflict, but the materials are on the way.

If there is no bandh or blockade, the materials will reach Imphal, and the project could be completed within the stipulated time, he said.

According to him, skilled labourers from outside the state, who are requifed for installing key materials, are reluctant to come to Manipur due to the current conflict, hampering the completion of projects, including the civil secretariat.

Nevertheless, the department is targeting the' completion of the new civil secretariat project within April and plans to hand it over soon after, he added.

Notably, the state cabinet, in its meeting held on August 21, 2024, decided to complete and inaugurate the new civil secretariat complex at Mantripukhri within three months.

However, the project could not be completed despite setting targets numerous times over the past 15 years.

The project was initially allotted to a Kolkata-based construction firm in 2010 but was later handed over to Avantika in 2021.Around 75-85 per.

cent of the construction was completed by the second firm (Avantika), but the state government cancelled the contract citing delays in completion.

Further delays occurred as the construction firm hied a case in the High Court.

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