Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2009:
Monetary demands from underground outfits have literally brought to a halt the black topping works along Tiddim line from Tulihal airport to Churachandpur and the repairing work along NH-39 .
A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that black-topping work of NH-150 from Tulihal airport to Churachandpur has been halted for four months now following a prohibition in connection with a monetary demand.
The Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways has already sanctioned Rs 23 crores for repairing NH-150 following which the Works Department issued the necessary work order on September 11 this year.
But the work order could not be executed till date following prohibition by UGs in connection with monetary demand, conveyed a source.
The Works Department had set the completion target of the road development work by March
next year.
But under the existing circumstances, the Department is worried in case the sanctioned amount get lapsed due to non-utilisation within the stipulated period.
Moreover, many Engineers of the Department related to the particular work have gone hiding because of the monetary demand.
The 54 kms long section of NH-150 from Tulihal airport to Churachandpur should mechanised black-topping, according to the work order, mentioned the source.
On the other hand, the repairing work of NH-39 has been prohibited by one UG group.
It is reported that labourers are unable to work on the highway.
This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at the 125th foundation day anniversary of the Indian National Congress yesterday.
According to an official of Works Department, the work of filling up potholes for 10 kms from Senapati toward Imphal was taken up to make the highway motorable even though this was not included in the work programme.
However, the same work, which is not included in any work programme nor any money sanctioned for it, has been halted since today following the demand for certain percentage of money from a hill based outfit.
Even as Rs 39.25 crores have been sanctioned by the Centre for repairing/developing NH-39, the work has been caught in a lengthy tender process.
As there is strong doubt over completing the road development work within the current working season, the department is making extra efforts by sending another proposal of Rs 5.25 crores to lay at least a thin layer of bitumen before the end of the working season.
In case, no bitumen layer is laid this time, then full repairing work of the highway will have to wait for the next season.
This would damage the highway completely.
Despite the efforts of the department, the officials have been perplexed by the disturbances coming from different quarters.