Imphal, November 05: Even though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to flag off the 1st Indo-ASEAN Car Rally at Guwahati on November 22, repairing works on NH 39 for the rally are still moving at a snail's pace with pot holes and depressions adorning the road stretch between Moreh and Imphal.

As per the advice of Chief Minister O Ibobi, Works Jt Secretary Gopen Meitei, Works Dept Highway Div SE, EE, AE along with mediapersons today inspected the repairing works currently being undertaken on the NH-39 stretch between Imphal and Moreh.

On being questioned whether the Govt would be able to repair NH 39 on time for the 1st Indo-ASEAN Car Rally which will be flagged off at Guwahati on Nov 22, officials of the Works Dept said that the repairing works had been slowed down considerably due to the contractors strike and other factors.

The officials however hastened to add that the Govt will do everything within its means to complete the repairing works before the rally.

Stating that the damaged culverts lying on NH 39 will definitely be repaired before the rally, the officials said that repairing works would be speeded up once the contractors' strike comes to an end.

The team also found out during the inspection that construction of way side amenities and waiting shed which were supposed to be constructed at Pallel and Tengnoupal for the rally have not yet begun till today.

However, construction works for toilet has already begun at Tengnoupal but is yet to begin at Pallel.

On the facilities made for the reception and lodging of rallyists at Moreh, ADC Moreh Hopson Chothe who also interacted with mediapersons today informed that nothing concrete has been taken till today to improve the various grounds where the international rallyist will be received.

Informing that Electricity IB and Moreh Trade Centre have been renovated for lodging the rallyist, ADC Chothe said that efforts are on to repair the Yatri Niwas for lodging the rallyist.

He also said that all the hotels located at Moreh have been instructed to renovate their rooms.

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