Imphal, March 21: Highway Development Council (HDC), which was formed to monitor the work being taken up along the National Highway 53, has expressed unhappiness over the slow progress of the road development works contrary to the assurance given by the Governor.

The HDC representatives, who had gone to inspect the condition of the NH-53 for the second time on March 19, have also decided to meet the Governor in this connection very soon.

HDC conducted the first inspection tour of the National Highway in September last year.

Talking to mediapersons at the office of Hericoun today, HDC convenor Longjam Ratankumar informed that after the first inspection tour, a memorandum highlighting the condition of the road was submitted to the Governor and talks were held in this regard.

During the course of meeting, the Governor had assured that the road from Barak to Jiribam would be upgraded to double-lane and black topping completed within March, 2006.But the HDC team which had gone to inspect the road on March 19 saw no sign of any progress.

Recounting the trip, HDC president Kamalkishore said BRTF were seen at 18 different points along the National Highway doing their work.

Some of the BRTF officials gave their assurances to the HDC team that the road improvement work from Keimai to Barak would be completed by April this year.

Black topping has been done at certain portions along the route and road expansion works are also being carried out at certain places.

The team also came across construction work of a RCC bridge along the route some 8 kms toward Imphal from Jiribam.

Construction of retaining walls were also seen at few places, Kamalkishore said, adding that three bailey bridges have also been upgraded to RCC bridges.

HDC advisor Dillipjan Lisham added that works which would be difficult during rainy season are yet to be started at 12 different spots.

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