Works Minister annoyed at sub-standard work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2008: Even as a bailey bridge constructed over Makru river along the road connecting Tamenglong headquarters to Tousem sub-division headquarters was inaugurated by Works Minister K Ranjit on November 16, the Minister was upset at the substandard nature of Keiphundai to Tousem headquarters road development work.

Works Minister K Ranjit accompanied by Tamei A/C MLA Awangbou Newmai and department engineers made a direct observation of the road development work from Keiphundai to Tousem Hqs for stretch of 56 kms along NH 53 for two days starting from November 15 .

During the visit, Ranjit also inaugurated the Makru bailey bridge.

K Ranjit inspecting a damaged road in Tamenglong district

Enraged with the unscrupulous and sub-standard nature of WBM works without even using water, the Works Minister directed relevant officials and contractors to take WBM again failing which no bill would be issued.

Development work of the road from Tousem Hqs to Keiphundai was taken after Rs 11.5 crores were sanctioned during 2007-08 in two phases.

Visibly upset over slow pace of the road development work, reducing road breadth and skipping of roadside development work, Ranjit noted that such style of executing works has reduced people's faith in the Department.

Yet the Minister was moved by the warm welcome accorded to his team by villagers of Oinamlong, Aben Kom village and several other villages even at the late hours of the night.

On his inspection tour, Ranjit said that he visited several hill districts and remote areas in accordance to the instruction of the Chief Minister to assess the requirements and aspirations of the people directly instead of confining himself to the office chamber.

Observing that actions speak louder than words in the efforts towards strengthening hills-valley emotional tie, Ranjit stated that developing connectivity within the State is the most fundamental bridge necessary for emotional integration of the different ethnic groups of Manipur.

Stating that the purpose of his visit was to access transport infrastructure of Tousem sub-division, Ranjit said that a large amount of Rs 11.5 crores was sanctioned for development of the Tousem to Keiphundai road under the SPA.

Out of the total length of 56 kms, the sanctioned amount has so far covered 38 kms and the same stretch is targeted for completion within March next year.

For the remaining stretch of 18 kms, required amount will be incorporated in the next State budget, assured the Minister while seeking people's cooperation.

Pledging that no contractor or engineer found involved in swindling money sanctioned for development of road infrastructure in hill districts will be allowed to go scot-free, the Works Minister said that the contractor(s) engaged in developing the Keiphundai to Tousem road will be blacklisted in case the work is not completed by March next year.

Ranjit also expressed dissatisfaction at BRO's pace of NH 53 development work.

According to an agreement with the Government, the BRO should complete NH 53 development work by 2010, informed Ranjit while observing that it is unlikely for BRO to meet the deadline at the current pace of work.

Out of Rs 3.18 crores set aside for construction of Barak bridge under NLCPR, procuring of construction materials worth Rs 2.37 crores has been started, Ranjit said.

The bridge is also targeted for completion within March.

He further informed the villagers about the Government's plan to build a guest house cum IB at Tousem and a bailey bridge along the Rani Gaidinliu road.

Even as the Makru bridge inaugurated by the Works Minister was expected to greatly enhance transport between Tousem and Tamenglong district Hqs, but the existing condition of the road presented a pitiable sight.

At Tamenglong district Hqs where a mini-Secretariat is being constructed at a cost of Rs 34 crores, the Minister was pleased at seeing the work progress.

There he instructed the officials to engage more manpower so as to complete the construction work in time.

MLA Awangbou Newmai asserted that the Government has been making serious efforts to develop Tousem sub-division which is relatively more backward.

In addition to the Government plan to build an SDO office at Tousem, the Tousem High School will upgraded to the status of a higher secondary school at a cost of Rs one crore.

Moreover, construction work of the water supply scheme which has been suspended will be resumed from December, he said.

Necessary arrangements have been made to distribute relief to people affected by bamboo flowering within the current month, informed Awangbou while calling upon the people to provide land for development projects and also to cooperate with officials.

Hailing Works Minister for his visit to their villages, the villagers said that earlier they used to think themselves orphans.

"But now we have our parents" they said apparently referring to the State Government.

They also confided that the Government would now look into their problems and basic requirements.