Imphal, July 27, 2010: All Zaliangrong Students' Union (AZSU) today reiterated its strong objection to the cabinet decision of SPF Government to take over NH-53 from BRTF/BRO by state government and hand over to PWD.

Giving reasons for their objection to the cabinet decisions, a press statement issued by the general secretary of the body, Nchaheing Kompoing expressed doubts on the efficacy and professionalism of the state PWD.

It said alleged that various Inter-Village Roads (IVR) like Khongsang-Tamenglong road, Tamenglong-Haflong road, Kaiphundai-Tousem road, Tamei-Konphung road, etc.

which are handled by PWD are still in a woeful state due to lake of quality control.

The nature of works remains far from satisfactory as the roads are not in motor able conditions.

During the rainy seasons these IVRs resemble rivulets even though crores of rupees have been sanctioned for the development of these roads, the AZSU reminded adding that there are 100 such IVRs maintained by PWD but not accessible during monsoon.

The Union further questioned how can an engineering department like PWD which took 4 years to complete hardly 500 meter length Bir Tikendrajit Fly Over will handle a highway like NH-53 stretching hundreds of kilometres.

Even the Capitol Project taken up by PWD in 2004 is not yet half done.

The statement added that BRO/BRTF follows a labour camping system.

The PWD cannot do that because they have to entrust the work through registered contractors on contract system.

BRO/BRTF recruited local labourers on 50-50 basis.

Casual employment is given to those people living along the highway.

BRO/BRTF pays salary for muster roll on monthly basis.

Therefore the labourers can continue to work in the hostile terrain thorough out the year.

Manpower of BRO/BRTF is regularly supervised by the well-trained personnel of the GREF who are not from the state and there is less chance for manipulation and favouritism.

Whenever machineries working in highways got broke down, BRO/BRTF repairs their machines within 24 hours.

In the case of the state PWD, they have failed to repair their machines even within a year, the statement maintained.