Lamka, December 17: After several strikes and bandhs that besieged development of Khuga Dam, the tardy project here has yet again bumped upon another dilemma as contractors engaged in the Head Works Division today declared that any works related to the Dam and its Diversion road would be put on hold with effect from tomorrow.

The contractors under 'Local Contractors Association of Churachandpur' have been demanding their due.

In its representation to the IFC Minister on September 17, 2007 the association warned the government of extreme step, but the matter has been subdued as the former assured of arranging atleast Rs 10 crore for the Head Works division.

Today's development however transpires as that the government released Rs 8.5 crore only, to three other division in the project.

The association Chairman H Manlun has categorically said that all works related to Khuga Dam and any activity in its premises would be halted, while vehicles passing through the diversion route would not be objected but any construction activity in the stretch would be impeded in all its form.

The contractors have claimed that until their due or liability bills have been cleared by the government, no activity would be tolerated in the diversion as well as in the Dam.

Though no bitumen could be seen in the 12 km diversion stretch, which the NEC has by now planned to overtake, the contractors have been demanding clearance of all their pending bills in all the works they have completed so far.

It may be noted that overlapping on the construction in this diversion road is the main rationale behind the stand-off.

Had the government cared to look and ensure timely completion of the construction work undertaken by IFCD last year, such impasse could have been avoided.

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