Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 11 2009:
THE SENAPATI District Students' Association (SDSA) has told media persons that the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has been unable to finish repairing just 21 km-long stretch of road on National Highway 39 from Mao to Maram even though 20 years had passed.
The SDSA further said that there are a lot of differences between the work in neighbouring Nagaland and that of Manipur and quality is not maintained.
It may be recalled here that the SDSA had launched blockade on the NH-39 off and on last year on the ground that the highway remained neglected and un-repaired for a long time.
However, on being given assurance by a team of Ministers led by Works Minister, K Ranjit, the blockade was withdrawn.
As per the assurances, the Works Department started improving and repairing the highway.
Minister K Ranjit, accompanied by Suprintending Engineer and Executive Engineer of the PWD went to Senapati district yesterday to inspect the progress of the works on the highway.
Representatives of the SDSA, who also went along, expressed satisfaction on seeing the speed of progress made in such a short time.
The student leaders told the mediapersons that they appreciate the seriousness of the government.
However, they expressed displeasure on the way the BRO worked in repairing the just 21 km-long stretch of the highway from Maram to Mao.
They had started the work in 1984 and were still unable to finish it, which is shameful for such a responsible organisation like BRO which is regarded all over the world for its expertise in building roads and bridges.
The students warned that unless the BRO finished improving the stretch in a short period, they might launch a democratic agitation.
The student leaders also appreciated the personal attention given by Works Minister, K Ranjit to the repairing works and urged him to finish improving the remaining 2 km stretch.