By : M Kaimuanthang/IFP
Lamka, Sep 18: The North Eastern Council, NEC’s act of widening and black topping the Tidim road stretch between Churachandpur and Singngat which is about 32 kms is a welcome step for all as the road has been neglected for the past 13 years or more.
People along the road have silently borne and with forbearance all hardships of passing through the bad road conditions for long years and it may now be said that their sufferings have finally rewarded them.
The road construction and maintenance is in full swing and a huge amount of funds has been sanctioned by the NEC.
According to sources, Rs. 27 crores have been earmarked for the construction of the road which has been divided into 12 portions of work and each portion is funded upto a tune of Rs. 93 lakhs approximately and covers one to two kilometres according to the condition of the road.
In spite of this there are complaints from many quarters that quality has not been maintained by the contractors and everything has been substandard because the concerned officials have not properly supervised the works.
The IFP undertook a survey of most of the portions where works are being executed and found that all the complaints were true.
The road surface which is supposed to be 7.50 metres or 25 ft approximately as per the NEC’s specifications have been followed strictly within the town, from the police station to Lanva river, whereas in all other places the specifications are not being followed.
Currently works have been executed upto the Khuga diversion starting from the police station.
From Lanva till Mata river bridge the road surface in width was only 15 metres when measurement was conducted according to our findings. Substandard rocks were also used. As per the specification the rocks should be of a good quality and should have the size of 60 mm but this was a far cry as only soft rocks are being used in all the stretches mentioned.
Moreover, the layer of rocks which are supposed to be three has been made as only one thick one by many of the contractors.
On being enquired an AE said over phone that the width of the road surface is small because no one is willing to give an inche of his land.
But contrary to the claims made by him many of the local village chiefs and authorities told us that they were only too willing to give their cooperation because they have sufferred so much due to bad roads and they also wanted to see the road conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the Zomi Students Federation, ZSF, president who had gone to the stretch to confirm the complaints told this correspondent that the nature of works being carried out will be closely monitored and if any contractors are found not doing works properly as per the specifications neccessary action would be initiated.
"We have met all the chiefs of villages along the roads and each of them said they want to give their land for the public good," he said.
He added that at many places they had found the work substandard and if this continued it would belie the expectations of the people.
The Imphal Free Press
Lamka, Sep 18: The North Eastern Council, NEC’s act of widening and black topping the Tidim road stretch between Churachandpur and Singngat which is about 32 kms is a welcome step for all as the road has been neglected for the past 13 years or more.
People along the road have silently borne and with forbearance all hardships of passing through the bad road conditions for long years and it may now be said that their sufferings have finally rewarded them.
The road construction and maintenance is in full swing and a huge amount of funds has been sanctioned by the NEC.
According to sources, Rs. 27 crores have been earmarked for the construction of the road which has been divided into 12 portions of work and each portion is funded upto a tune of Rs. 93 lakhs approximately and covers one to two kilometres according to the condition of the road.
In spite of this there are complaints from many quarters that quality has not been maintained by the contractors and everything has been substandard because the concerned officials have not properly supervised the works.
The IFP undertook a survey of most of the portions where works are being executed and found that all the complaints were true.
The road surface which is supposed to be 7.50 metres or 25 ft approximately as per the NEC’s specifications have been followed strictly within the town, from the police station to Lanva river, whereas in all other places the specifications are not being followed.
Currently works have been executed upto the Khuga diversion starting from the police station.
From Lanva till Mata river bridge the road surface in width was only 15 metres when measurement was conducted according to our findings. Substandard rocks were also used. As per the specification the rocks should be of a good quality and should have the size of 60 mm but this was a far cry as only soft rocks are being used in all the stretches mentioned.
Moreover, the layer of rocks which are supposed to be three has been made as only one thick one by many of the contractors.
On being enquired an AE said over phone that the width of the road surface is small because no one is willing to give an inche of his land.
But contrary to the claims made by him many of the local village chiefs and authorities told us that they were only too willing to give their cooperation because they have sufferred so much due to bad roads and they also wanted to see the road conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the Zomi Students Federation, ZSF, president who had gone to the stretch to confirm the complaints told this correspondent that the nature of works being carried out will be closely monitored and if any contractors are found not doing works properly as per the specifications neccessary action would be initiated.
"We have met all the chiefs of villages along the roads and each of them said they want to give their land for the public good," he said.
He added that at many places they had found the work substandard and if this continued it would belie the expectations of the people.
The Imphal Free Press
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