Villagers, Private firm contradict BRO on NH-37
More skeletons tumble out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2011: Whereas the BRO has been complaining that they face shortage of stones for the development work of NH-37, private firm Gautam Construction Company to which the BRO outsourced some portions of the highway development work has contended that there is no shortage of stones.

Local villagers further asserted that they have been providing stones, sand and firewood to the BRO free of cost.

A joint team of ICHAM, Kabui Mothers' Association and the Zeliangrong Women Union conducted a field assessment tour throughout the length of the highway on October 29 and 30 .

One official of Gautam Construction Company stated that they did not face any shortage of stones though they encountered certain difficulties about water.

Along the 20 Kms Keimai-Makru stretch of the highway which has been outsourced to the company, 75 labourers were being engaged and their number would be increased further in the coming days, said the official.

Contrary to the claim of the BRO engaging 1300 strong labour force on the 222 Kms long highway, the joint team could see only around 170 labourers.

A stretch on NH-37 which stands mute witness to the farce of the work taken up there

As for the ABCI, the other private company to which another portion of the highway development was outsourced, it had yet to start work on the highway.

Nevertheless, Kambiron section of the highway where the whole diameter of truck wheels got buried last has improved considerably.

Talking to the media team, Kaiphundai village secretary John Gangmei claimed that Kaiphundai and other villages located along the highway have been cooperating with the BRO in their highway development work.

For the highway development work, the villagers have been providing stones, sand and firewood free of cost.

However, the NFR bought sand and stones from the villagers for the railway work.

Taking a cue from the NFR, the villagers asked the BRO to pay some amount for stones and sand this year only.

Earlier, 35 villagers of Kaiphundai were working as casual paid labourers but today their number has been reduced to only 18 .

John Gangmei further informed that the quarry site was leased out by the village to BRO at Rs 5000 per month.

Stating that good transport infrastructure is a must for socio-economic development, John said that the BRO tried to make some areas their quarry sites without the knowledge of the villagers.

But when the villagers asked the BRO to talk things over, none of the BRO officials came to the village, he said.

Meanwhile, Kabui Mothers' Association secretary Ranjita Golmei has appealed to all the people to cooperate in the development work of Imphal-Jiribam highway.

Zeliangrong Women Union president Aniliu Gangmei said that the BRO's manner and pace of work on NH 37 is far from being impressive.

She further sought attention of the Government to develop spacious parking lots at Noney, Khongshang, Kambiron and Kaiphundai where the villagers can open cafeterias and hotels in the service of commuters and transporters.

ICHAM president N Rajendro said that a representation would be sent to the Union Defence Minister with exact details about the existing condition of the highway as well as the non-progressive nature of BRO's working style.

Zeliangrong Women Union president Aniliu Gangmei said that the BRO's manner and pace of work on NH 37 is far from being impressive.

She further sought attention of the Government to develop spacious parking lots at Noney, Khongshang, Kambiron and Kaiphundai where the villagers can open cafeterias and hotels in the service of commuters and transporters.

ICHAM president N Rajendro said that a representation would be sent to the Union Defence Minister with exact details about the existing condition of the highway as well as the non-progressive nature of BRO's working style.