Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 10 2010:
Not at all pleased with the manner in which the BRO has been maintaining NH-53, a visibly upset Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has personally informed the BRO officials that a 'working nature report' would be submitted to the Government of India.
After a legislature team of the SPF Government comprising Works Minister K Ranjit Singh and Transport Minister L Jayantakumar inspected the existing conditions of the National Highway, a joint meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was held with BRO officials today.
In the said meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, DGP, Works Minister and Transport Minister attended from the side of the State Government.
Apart from officials of the BRO responsible for the maintenance of the National Highway, representatives of the Army and the Assam Rifles were also present in the meeting.
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Obviously not happy with the manner in which the BRO has been maintaining the National Highway, the Chief Minister told the officials concerned that a working nature report would be sent to the Government of India.
From their side, BRO officials, while explaining the reason for inability to maintain the National Highway properly, cited failure of the Government of India to provide adequate fund for the purpose.
To this, the Chief Minister reacted promptly by pointing out that BRO has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of the National Highway since 1968 and if there is lack of fund then the State Government could have been informed so that the matter could be taken up with the Government of India.
The State Government could have also contributed towards this, the Chief Minister said, while observing that the maintenance of the road by BRO is not only sub-standard but they have not displayed any sense of responsibility.
Using strong words, the Chief Minister said that the conduct of the BRO tantamounts to ignoring the interest of the State Government.
Photographs showing the deplorable condition of the road including around 10 sub-standard culverts located along the National Highway from Imphal to Jiribam that officials of PWD have clicked were also produced during the meeting.
On the other hand, according to a reliable source, BRO has no fund at its disposal for development/repairing of National Highway 53 presently.
With just around Rs 2 crores provided for maintenance of the road, it has not been able to pay attention to the development of the road.
Inspite of that the joint meeting held today with Chief Minister O Ibobi in the chair today has agreed that both the State Government and BRO would be working together in ensuring development of the National Highway atleast to motorable level.
The meeting also discussed strengthening of the smaller bridges located in between Barak and Makru bridges so as to make them capable of supporting vehicles carrying upto 34 tonne of goods, the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, Public Works Dept today despatched two dozers, two JCBs and some Tata tippers in connection with clearing the landslides that occurred in between Noney and Tupul due to heavy rainfall, so that the stranded vehicles would be escorted to Imphal at the earliest possible.