Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03 2009:
Efforts are being made to start the work of laying the pipeline of the Imphal Sewerage Project in the densely populated areas of Imphal and those where it would be inconvenient to dig up with the help of trenchless technology from the current working season.
According to an official source from Public Health Engineering Department, the State Government has already taken a decision on using trenchless technology so as to accelerate the pace of progress of the sewerage project.
In connection with using the technology, the tender process for inviting a firm from outside is also underway, the source disclosed, adding that the prospect of commissioning the project by March 2011 is very high.
The Imphal Sewerage Project is being taken up with the material and machinery support from the French Government.
The source further informed that all the material and machinery support that should be extended from the side of the French Government have already been given.
However, as the State Government could not arrange the fund required for the project, the work remained stalled from 2003 to 2005.Inspite of intermittent work, efforts have been made to carry on with the task from every available sources of fund.
Even though the first phase of the project is yet to be completed, efforts have always been made to ensure regular fund flow for the project even with the intervention of the Governor, the source further.
Commissioner of PHED, Chief Engineer and other officials yesterday called on the Governor and discussed the project.
During the discussion, the Governor instructed for early completion of the project and assured necessary fund would be arranged, the source disclosed, while expressing hope that around Rs 99 crores from various sources is likely to be provided to keep the target of completing the project.
Out of this Rs 99 crores, Rs 77 crores would come from DONER Ministry, Rs 17 crores from the State budget and remaining Rs 5 crores from the package of Special Development Fund, the source explained, adding that in order to ensure that the amount of Rs 77 crores which is expected from Ministry of DONER is sanctioned, the Chief Secretary and the Chief Engineer of Works Department are currently at Delhi to exert pressure on the DONER Ministry.
The source further informed that a pending bill amount of Rs 15 crores is yet to be cleared for the contractors of the sewerage project and the same would be taken care of from the proposed Rs 99 crores.
Rate have also been revised for proper covering of the trenches dug up for lying the pipeline of the project, the source added.