Imphal, July 12 2010: Taking into account the condition of the road and the difficulties being faced in transporting essential goods from outside Manipur, a one way traffic system has been introduced along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of National Highway-53 for the last 4 to 5 days, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the House.

The Chief Minister also stated that the Government is committed to the construction of the Tipaimukh Multipurpose Project.

In response to a question raised by Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam in connection with construction of the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Project, the Chief Minister said that the Government is fully committed in going ahead with the construction of the project.

Construction of the project would necessitate realignment of the existing route of the National Highway-53 as well as the proposed rail line from Jiribam to Tupul.

From the project which would have a generating capacity of 1500 Megawatt of power, Manipur would be receiving 340.08 Megawatt annually.

When the water of the dam is stored upto a height of 175 metre for generation of power, some portions of National Highway-53 would be submerged at least at two points and the rail line would also come under water.

Moreover, around 7 to 8 smaller bridges located along the National Highway would be submerged when construction works on the project start.

However, the Union Surface Transport Ministry has communicated that there would be no new sanction for construction and repairing of these bridges.

But then, the State Govt has been really concerned over the issue of developing this lifeline and so started necessary construction/repairing work without waiting for fund from the Centre.

Apart from existence of some portions which are singlelaned and the current season being rainy season the breakdown of one vehicle have stranded the rest of the vehicles coming behind as the BRO had not maintained the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of the National Highway 53 properly.

To clear the road, necessary mechineries have been despatched and repairing work started, the Chief Minister said.

As the Government is not in favour of suggestion given by the contractors for shutting down the National Highway stretch for five days to expedite the road construction work, the State has introduced one way traffic system for the last 4 to 5 days.

In response to another question raised by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, the Chief Minister informed the House that to ensure proper disposal of the garbages, construction work on a Solid Waste treatment Plant under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission has been started at Lamdeng in Imphal West.

Civil works of the plant to be constructed over an area of around 88 acres are nearing completion, he added.

Imphal Municipal Council and four NGOs are carrying out the task of lifting solid waste from selected sites or wards and collection of liquid waste is yet to be started.

A machine that can recycled the solid waste into fertiliser and efforts are being made for experimental use of the machine for the first time, the Chief Minister informed.

Construction of an RCC bridge over Iril river at Pangong Makhong has been included in the supplementary list of the DoNER Ministry for the year 2009-2010 .

But efforts are being made to include in the priority list, the Chief Minister said in response to a question raised by MLA Th Nandakishore.

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