Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 11, 2010:
For the second time since the start of the economic blockade by Senapati District Students� Association (SDSA) from February 2, Works Minister K Ranjit along with Tribal Development Minister, DD Thaisii and MLAs Haokholet Kipgen and BIjoy Koijam and officials of the state PWD inspected the work progress on NH-39 today.
In the meantime, the 36-hour relaxation of the economic blockade coming to an end, the agitating SDSA resumed the economic blockade on the highway with effect from 6 pm today.
The team led by the Works Minister today took stock of the progress of the blacktopping work on the 27 km long stretch from Taphou to Maram.
They also inspected installation works of temporary composite gate at Taphou Henbung.
The road improvement works with blacktopping of the 27 km long stretch of the National Highway is being taken up by 10 contractors.
During the inspection, Minister Ranjit instructed the engineers and contractors handling the work to maintain quality keeping in mind that the road is the lifeline of the people of the state.
Speaking to reporters, Ranjit observed that the deteriorated condition of the stretch of the road is the outcome of handing over the maintenance of the road to BRTF by the previous government.
The improvement work is being taken up with state fund.
The authority is targeting to complete the improvement works of the road by March.
For this state has kept around 571 matric tones of Bituminous as reserve, he said.
PWD had already completed blacktopping works of NH-150 from Raj Bhavan to Imphal Airport and the same works from Airport to Churachandpur is also progressing on war footing to complete the work by April.
The state government has also planned for improving the Indo-Myanmar section of the NH-39 from Pallel to Moreh.
For the commencement of the work, authority has kept manpower and machines reserved, Ranjit said.
Ranjit further observed that in the small state of Manipur, road communication can be kept at the best level if there no hindrance or disturbances is given.
It should be kept in mind that better road communication is the key to development in all fields.
Considering for the sake of future and for speedy development, he do not want to give any kinds of obstruction in road improvement works.
In government efforts, co-operation of people is also a must, he added.