Imphal, July 19 2009: Two of the most significant projects on the menu, for both the state and Central government, have been suffering set backs of different types, with reluctance of construction firms to take up the Tupul-Imphal railway project causing heartache to the both the governments, particularly the State, and notable absence of consent from the Ministry concerned to the landing night facility at Imphal airport likely to puncture the ambitious 'look East' policy.

The survey work for the tupul-Imphal railway project suffered yet another set back, as authorities of the Rail india Technical Economic Survey (RITES) reportedly conveyed that the survey work could be taken up only after the rainy season is over.

An official source said that RITES was approached to conduct the survey so as to facilitate expeditious commencement of the rail project, as three previous open tenders at the international level, failed to evoke positive response from rail-line construction firms.

The source confided that RITES authorities cited man-power inadequacy to begin the survey works only after the wet season is over.

With the railway track from Tupul to Imphal having been declared as a National Project by the UPA Govt, the State Govt too is determined to ensure all relevant works commence at the earliest.

Taking into account failure to convince construction firms three times and the fact that RITES authorities had already expressed willingness to begin the survey work some months later, the State Government is in a quandary to either persist with RITES or float/invite other agencies, the source disclosed.

Delay in the survey work is also reported to be hampering ground work for construction of an AOC oil depot at Malom area which would serve as a refuelling centre.

On the other hand, inspite of completion of SPOL (lighting system) installations atop five hill range in connection with the night landing of aircrafts at Imphal Airport, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry is yet to endorse test landing in the airport till date, the source informed.

In this regard, the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had personally written to the Union Ministry last evening to issue relevant documents (certificates) for the trial landing at the earliest.

The source also reminded that the Airport Authority of india, Imphal had on an earlier occasion presented a detailed report to the Ministry regarding completion of infrastructure development for night landing at Tulihal (imphal) Airport.

Comment