Works Minister pegs construction cost at Rs 600 cr
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2015 : Re-cons-truction and repairing of roads and bridges damaged by floods and landslides in the last week of July may cost more than Rs 600 crore, stated Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar.

An official team led by the Works Minister today made a field assessment of the construction work of Kasom Khullen-Thoubal road which is being executed with funds invested by ADB, 800 metres long portion of a road which sunk near Kasom Khullen and other roads damaged by the landslides.

Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing, PWD Chief Engineer M Lokendro, North Eastern State Road Investment Programme Project Director K Joykumar and other high ranking officials were included in the Works Minister's entourage.

A section of a sunken road at Kasom Khullen

After an 800 metres long section of a road sunk near Hongmei village in Kasom Khullen, a new road of length 1.5 Km was being constructed.

The road is being constructed by Kolkata based ABCI and Delhi based DRAIPL as a joint venture.

The team also inspected condition of the road leading to Phungyar which has been blocked by landslides as well as the fissures which developed at the heart of Kasom Khullen.

Later addressing a public meeting at Kasom Khullen, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar reminded that heavy rainfall in the last week of July triggered massive landslides, sinking of roads and extensive floods which swept away many key brid-ges in many parts of Chandel, Thoubal and Ukhrul districts.

Re-construction and repairing of the damaged roads and bridges will cost more than Rs 600 crore.

Informing that he was there for a restoration assessment under disaster management, Dr Ratankumar assured that additional machinery would be pressed into service to remove the earth and rocks which have been blocking the road leading to Phungyar following massive landslides.

He stated that Tengnoupal-Sangshak road has been declared as a National Highway.

Highlighting the accentuating impacts of jhum cultivation on soil erosion, Dr Ratankumar exhorted the villagers to plant trees extensively.

Victor Keishing stated that there is a Government for the people.

He said that landslide is not an entirely natural phenomenon.

Jhum cultivation and deforestation have also been contributing significantly to triggering landslides.