BRO scripts a tardy tale on Imphal-Jiri line
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2011: Notwithstanding the ambitious claim of the Border Roads' Organisation (BRO) to complete the Imphal-Jiribam (NH-37) highway development work by 2012, the highway has made little improvement as at end of the current month.

Though the 125 Kms long portion from Imphal to Nungba and the other portion from Jiribam to Kaiphundai have seen a little improvement, the remaining portions are still languishing in the same deplorable condition as was the case two years back.

For its 40 years of efforts on the 222 Kms long highway, the BRO is still unable to deliver the results of its labour to the people of Manipur.

However, the Nungba-Barak bridge section of the highway, where the wheels of trucks used to get buried till last year and where buffaloes wallowed in leisure has seen improvement.

Still, the same section has a long way go to fit the definition of a standard highway as thick columns of dust could be seen covering the highway whenever heavy vehicles pass through it.

This has also posed serious health hazards to the people residing along the highway.

The condition of the highway is worse after crossing Barak bridge.

This was observed by a media team which went on a re-assessment tour of the highway a couple of days back.

Throughout the length of the highway, only 11 tipper trucks, two earth movers, seven bull dozers, seven excavators of different sizes, two vibrators, seven air compressors, three water tankers and three concrete mixers could be seen.

The total workforce for the whole length of the highway as counted by the media was just around 240 .

Again, these 240 labourers were not seen working simultaneously.

They were working in turns.

According to one Junior Engineer of the BRO whom the media team came across on the way, heavy vehicular traffic along the highway has been impeding the highway development work.

Except for the impedance caused by regular vehicular traffic, the BRO faces no other difficulties, said the Junior Engineer.

Another source informed that the type of stone chips being used in the highway development are of inferior quality.

Using such type of stones in WBM or shingling seriously compromises the durability of roads.

Given the current condition of the road and the little progress achieved over the years, the commitment of the BRO on this particular highway has come under serious scrutiny.

There were reports that the BRO sold off steel rods and cement to local people during construction of Khumbong bridge apart from using sub-standard raw materials, conveyed the source.

On the other hand, the State Government exerted little pressure on the BRO while the successive BRO officers were discharging their duty in the most casual manner.

Given the existing condition of the highway and the pace of work, it is not likely that the BRO would be able to keep their assurance of completing the highway development work by 2012 .

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