Ranjit inspects high-speed repairing work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 11, 2010: With re-pairing work of the controversial Maram-Senapati section of NH 39 picking up speed, Works Minister K Ranjit made a field inspection of the work today.

Even as the Government of India has sanctioned Rs 53 crores for development of NH 39, it is unlikely that the sanctioned amount can be utilised within the current working season as the tender process is taking a long time.

Under the existing condition, Maram-Senapati section of NH 39 would not be fit for vehicular traffic during rainy season.

Taking cognizance of this condition, the State Government engaged ten contractors and started hectic repairing work since the past few days.

Inspecting the repairing work today, Works Minister K Ranjit told media persons that the same section can be turned into a shapely highway by March provided there is no disturbance.

The Maram-Senapati section which is about 20 kms in length would require 571 metric tonnes of bitumen approximately.

So far, the contractors have been provided 130 metric tonnes of bitumen.

In the meantime, tender process at the Ministry of Highways and Surface Transport would be completed.

As such, NH 39 can be developed fully during the next working season.

The Minister also inspected the bitumen laying work along NH 150 near Oinam, Bishnupur.

Saying that road development work of NH 150 from near Raj Bhavan to airport was completed in time, Minister Ranjit said that bitumen laying of the second phase starting from airport till Churachandpur is in progress.

Works Minister K Ranjit at the work site in Senapati district

He lamented that the same work was halted during November and December last year due to disturbances from some quarters.

Stating that development work along Canchipur-Pallel section of NH 39 would be taken up soon, Ranjit informed that necessary amount for development NH 39 from Pallel to Moreh has also been sanctioned by the Ministry.

In his next stop, Ranjit inspected the preparatory work of temporary composite check post at Henbung along NH 39.Although the State Government has submitted a detailed project report putting the project cost at Rs one crore for the composite check post, the Ministry has not yet sanctioned the amount.

With a view to collect more revenue, the State Government has set completion target of the temporary composite check post in March, Ranjit said.

Land development work, construction of parking, office building and godown would be completed by March.

Pointing out that Manipur is a small state, the Works Minister claimed that Manipur can be turned into a developed State within a short period if no disturbances are posed to several projects taken up by different Government departments.

TD Minister DD Thaisii, MLA Haokholet Kipgen and MLA Bijoy Koijam were part of the Works Minister's inspection tour.