Imphal, June 18: Presenting a list of correspondences made by the PHED to the PWD officials for execution of the Imphal Sewerage Project, a press release issued by the SE (Urban Circle), PHED Manipur informed that the PHED started asking for road cutting permission to the Chief Engineer (PWD) as early November 6 last year.

Asserting that the PWD did not respond to the PHED until a joint meeting was called at the Chief Minister's level on May 24 this year, it informed that during the meeting, the Chief Secretary asked the PHED officials to tie up with PWD officials and continue laying of sewer lines so that diversion of roads etc may be done by the PWD officials in order to avoid road congestion etc.

This was followed by another joint meeting of PWD and PHED officials on May 26 during which it was agreed that no excavated earth should be used for refilling works particularly on National Highways.

It was also agreed to refill the excavation with granular materials like baloo-shingles while restoration work of the top crust portion of the roads would be done by the PWD after depositing the requisite amount with the PWD.

On June 6, the PHED submitted the lay out plan of the sewer line and its relevant cross sections of the excavation so that PWD can prepare the estimate for the restoration works.

Disclosing that PWD officials did not ask to stop work of laying sewer lines at NH 39 and 150 in the joint meeting of May 26, the SE took strong exception to PWD Chief Engineer blaming PHED officials for continued laying of sewer lines without prior approval of Regional officer, MORTH, Guwahati.

Disclosing that the CE PWD asked the PHED to depute a responsible officer for permission from the RO, MORTH Guwahati instead of seeking permission himself, the SE questioned as to why the CE PWD did not put up the matter in the joint meeting.

Putting a halt to all activities of laying sewer lines in accordance to the suggestion of CE PWD, PHED wrote directly to the RO, MORTH, Guwahati seeking permission for road cutting on NH 39 and 150 on June 11, it informed that the PHED is now waiting for a response from Guwahati.

As such, blaming PHED for digging up roads without prior permission of the RO, MORTH Guwahati is unwarranted since suggestion of deputing a responsible officer from the PHED to seek permission and advance deposit of fund for rehabilitation work of roads was not all discussed in the meeting of May 26, asserted the PHED SE.

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