Francis inspects PMGSY works
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2015: Although 77 per cent of total fund sanctioned for construction of rural roads in the State under PMGSY has been earmarked for utilization in hill districts, implementation of the same works has been delayed due to the presence of litigations and other problems, Rural Development and Pan-chayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa said.

The Minister was inspecting construction of rural roads under PMGSY in Ukhrul district along with officials of Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) .

Francis said that about Rs 2290 crore has been sanctioned under PMGSY since its inception in the State in 2000-01.Out of the amount, Rs 1739 crore is earmarked for the hill districts and the remaining 551 is earmarked for the valley districts.

Francis Ngajokpa inspecting PMGSY works at Ukhrul

However, implementation of PMGSY works has been impeded by filing of litigations when the projects are being implemented and/or before implementation and other disturbances from different quarters.

Besides, there are incompetent individual contractors/firms, Francis said.

He sternly said that further withdrawal of pending bills will be prohibitedin case quality of road construction is found compromised.

Apart from the MSRRDA, quality of the constructed roads will be monitored by State and National Quality Monitor teams, he said.

Since the roads will be benefited more by the villagers using the roads, they should extend maximum cooperation, Francis said.

The Minister further said that although lesser amount is sanctioned in the valley districts, the projects are implemented more effectively in the valley districts.

And there is no single complaint being registered so far.

MSRRDA officials led by Chief Engineer Ningthoujam Bapuchand accompanied the Minister.

The team inspected 15-km long Tolloi junction (TO3)-Lamlang road.

They later inspected the newly constructed Tolloi-Ngaimu village.

The Minister was visibly peeved at the delay in completion of the road construction.

The road was sanctioned two years back.

He instructed the contractor and villagers concerned to expedite the construction and ensure early completion.

Tolloi villagers organised a warm reception function in honour of the Minister and his team during the visit to the village.