Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17:
Following an armed organisation levying huge tax/monetary demands against transporters carrying water pipes over 70 loaded trucks are currently stranded at Dimapur Railway Station and the nearby Khatkati.
According to informed source, the materials were acquired by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and being brought for implementation of numerous rural water supply schemes in the State.
While declining to provide details of the UG group but nevertheless saying it is a rebel outfit currently observing ceasefire with the Government of India, the source conveyed of the materials being brought in through two routes one by train upto Dimapur and the other till Khatkati by trucks belonging to Modoli Transport Agency.
The loaded trucks had been stranded at the two locations since about three months following the UG group demanding five percent of the materials' total cost which, the source said, runs to about Rs 5/6 crores.
Disclosing that the State PHED had purchased the same from a Kolkata firm, the source cautioned highlighted that holding up the materials might impede early completion of the Khoupum Water Supply Scheme among other listed projects as 3500 metres of galvanised iron pipes (GI pipe) are to be used for the said scheme.
It is informed that materials stranded at Khatkati include 13,829.77 running metres of 32 mm GI pipes; 32,346.40 running metres of 40 mm size; 25,457.70 length (in metres) of 65 mm size; and 5008.03 running metres of 100 mm size.
These loads had reportedly reached Khatkati some three months back.
Among the materials stuck at Dimapur Railway Station for over a month there are 40 truck loads of ducktile iron pipes (DI pipes).
It is further informed that in addition to the transporters having already intimated the matter to the Government, negotiations had begun between the armed outfit, transporters and a team of engineers.
on the otherhand, a team of World Bank approved aquatic technique experts from France had arrived at Imphal to oversee works for the Imphal Sewerage Project.