BRO shying away from National Highway duty ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2008: Even though the Government of India and Government of Manipur had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the effect of handing over the task of construction and maintenance of the National Highways to the BRO, the latter has shown signs of hesitation in taking up the work.

According to an official source of the State Works Department, the MoU was signed after the Government of India instructed that the task of construction and maintenance of the National Highways be handed over to the BRO in consideration of various factors like law and order problem, inability to complete developmental works in time and frequent disturbances.

Efforts to contact the BRO some days proved futile as no one answered the calls made to a mobile number.

IN the absence of any concrete or RCC bridges villagers of Tamenglong have to rely on a suspension bridge

People of Manipur have been facing lot of difficulties as a result of the deplorable condition of the National Highways namely National Highway 39 and 53 which are the main lifelines of the State.

In fact the State is currently under an economic blockade called by the Senapati District Students' Association to demand immediate repairing work of NH-39 .

On the alleged hesitation of the BRO, the source conveyed that BRO may also be facing the same sort of difficulties being faced in taking up developmental activities in the State as a consequence of law and order problem.

The source further disclosed that in a joint meeting of the Works Minister and a BRTF official presided over by the Chief Minister on October 28 last, the Chief Minister asked the BRTF official for the reason behind the delay in completing the road construction work of National Highway 39 from Maram to Mao.

In response, the BRTF official apparently showed signs of hesitation in taking up the work along the National Highway giving some excuses like alleged lack of manpower.

Nonetheless, the BRTF official gave the assurance of completing the road construction work from Maram to Mao at the earliest possible, said the source.

It has been over 10 years now that the task of constructing the road stretch from Maram to Mao had been entrusted to the BRO.

But there has been no improvement in the condition of the road stretch.

So the earlier general assumption that BRO would be able to do a better job in maintaining the highway is beginning to lose its sheen, the source added.

In States like Assam, the construction and maintenance of National Highways is done jointly by the State Government and the National Highway Authority of India, the source disclosed further.