ICHAM skeptical of PM's assurance on NH-37
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 06 2011: Expressing skepticism over the assurance given by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that development of National Highway-37 (formerly 53) would be completed by 2013, President of Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) N Rajendro has asserted that from the manner the work is being executed, it is unlikely to be completed even after 10 years from now.

Accompanied by mediapersons, an official team of ICHAM has inspected the progress of the development work being taken up by BRTF along the National Highway 37 from December 4 to 5 .

During the course of the inspection, which was undertaken specially to assess the progress of the work after the rainy season got over, the ICHAM officials found that there has not been any significant progress.

While interacting with the site engineers, ICHAM officials also came to know that the deadline for completion of works under the respective jurisdiction of these site engineers have been extended and one company which is responsible for executing the work in some portions has not yet arrived.

The deplorable condition of NH 37 show no significant improvement despite assurances

It may be recalled here that during a joint meeting with ICHAM officials and mediapersons in his office at Gularthol, Jiribam on September 15 last, Commander of 765 Battalion of BRTF PN Yadav informed about engaging ABCI Ltd and Gautam Constructions Company, Assam for development work along some portion of the National Highway and distributing the task among six sub-constractors.

While highlighting the difficulties faced by them in executing the work, the Commander had also assured that the task would be completed within 2013.At that time, ICHAM officials and mediapersons had come across only about 10 labourers executing the work.

However, in a report submitted to the Union Defence Minister on July 27 last, BRTF claimed that in addition of 7 officers and 169 staff, 1280 casual paid labourers have been engaged and there has been great progress in the road development work.

Subsequently, a similar report was also forwarded to the Principal Secretary (Works), government of Manipur by Lt Col Prashant Gour on August 9 last.

Interestingly, the content of the report was quite contrary to what Commander PN Yadav had said to the joint team of ICHAM and mediapersons on September 15 .

Consequently, ICHAM made a documentary film on the work along the National Highway by BRTF and submitted the same not only to the Union Defence Minister but also to the government of Manipur along with a memorandum on October 21 last.

Since then, ICHAM has been conducting inspection tour to monitor the progress of the work along the National Highway 37 on monthly basis.

Reacting to the report submitted by BRTF to the Union Defence Minister and the government of Manipur, ICHAM President pointed out that if 1280 casual paid labourers were employed for the work, the daily expenditure on payment of wages would be around Rs 1,28,000 and it would be around Rs 38,40,000 every month and Rs 4,63,80,000 annually.

When there are not more than 10 to 20 labourers in the field, where have all these money gone?, Rajendro questioned, and added that authorities concerned should investigate into the matter and initiate necessary action against the officials of BRTF for their deception and making them suffer all these years.

During the course of inspection tour this time, ICHAM officials and mediapersons came across officials and labourers of Gautam Constructions Company making some headway in their assigned work along the road stretch from 166 kms to 186.47 kms, but not of the ABCI Ltd.

At Oinamlong area, quarrying works were found to have been completed at three spots.

Site Engineer Ingudam Bidyananda informed that black topping along 10 km-long road stretch may be completed within the current year and another 10 kms by March 2012 .