Imphal, September 23: While disclosing that the survey work for the construction of a road from Tupul and Kasom Khullen via Bishnupur, Mayang Imphal and Yairipok with funding from Asian Development Bank (ADB) will begin from next month, Works Minister K Ranjit has expressed optimism that if everything goes well there would a transformation in the condition of the roads and drainage system in Imphal city by February next year.

Talking to mediapersons after inspecting the existing condition of the roads and bridges in Yairipok area today, the Works Minister informed that the survey work of the 123-km long road from Tupul to Kasom, to be constructed under the funding of ADB, will commence from next month and is being targeted to be completed by March next year.

The total estimated cost of the road project is Rs 200 crores and it is to be completed within three years, the Minister said, adding for implementation of the project, ADB has selected the Australia-based Snowing Mountain Engineering Corporation as consultant and an international tender would be held for taking up the project.

ADB will extend the required fund for construction of the road as loan to the Ministry of DoNER which would in turn hand over the amount to the State Government as grant under the funding pattern of 90:10, the Minister said, adding that two Engineers of the Works Department have already been given necessary training for the purpose by the consultant-corporation and necessary computer sets provided.

The Works Minister further informed that the construction of National Highway 39 stretch from Imphal to Moreh for which the work order had been awarded way back in 2001 but could not be executed till date would be newly assigned and a tender will be floated as the Ministry has given the approval for commencement of the work within the current year.

K Ranjit also expressed annoyance over undue interference from some underground organisations at the time of dedicating a large number of bridges that have been constructed by the Department to the people.

In response to a question on the present condition of the roads in Imphal city, the Minister informed that the repairing/renovation of the roads and the drainage system in Imphal area would be taken up with the arrival of working season.

If there is no obstruction, a transformation would be seen by February next year.

For the purpose of construction of the roads, two hot mixed plants have been installed at Mantripukhri, the Minister said, while disclosing that necessary sanction for construction of the road from Senapati to North AOC, Imphal has also been received and the work would begin soon after the arrival of the working season.

However, no sanction for the construction of the road from Maram to Senapati has been received so far, he clarified.

One significant achievement of the Works Minister's inspection visit to Yairpok today was the resolution of the land dispute in connection with construction of a bridge near the IB at Yairipok.

Although the construction work was started in 2004 it has been stalled for the last 3 years following objection from the some land owners.

However, after a joint meeting with the land owners, the matter was resolved today.

The Minister assured the land owners of giving a compensation amount of Rs 24,19,759 for acquiring their land.

MANITRON chairman Dr Kh Ratan, MLA K Meghachandra, Chief Engineer of Works Department Ng Rashtrapati and other officials accompanied the Minister during his visit.

On their return journey, the Ministerial team inspected the progress of the bridge being constructed over Iril river with the target of commissioning by next year as well as the condition of the Wangkhei-Kongba Road.

The Ministerial team also visited the work site along Uripok Road where the officials of the Works Dept are filling up the road dug up by the PHED in connection with laying the pipes of the Imphal Sewerage Project.

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