It is stated that the National Highways 39 (N.H.39) is the lifeline of Manipur. The road Portion from Mao Gate to Maram was transferred to the 15 Border Road Task Force (15 BRTF), 89 Road Construction Company (89 RCC), as the State PWD, NH 39 Division 1, could hardly maintain it. It is most regretted that the 15 BRTF are taking up the flood damage repair (monsoon rain damage) works in a very slow pace in this prime working season.
The Memai Council expresses its serious concern, that the government of Manipur (read peoples representatives), political parties of all hues, public organizations, rural and urban underground organizations who in their thousand miles of journey to sovereignty used to speak of public interests had overlooked the condition of the said road portion, which had ample funds.
Not airing the condition of the road portion, the valley Meities who it is said are like fish living in a pond and the surrounding hill people are doing the greatest injustice and “inflicting” pains to themselves, affecting their economy and convenient travels, the negative reasons best knowing to them. Let it be known, that the road pass through Senapati District, but the 90% of the goods vehicles and the passenger buses belongs to them and ‘feed’ the valley population and beyond.
The Memai Council wish and demand the NH 53 should be developed to the maximum so that the people will have the option for entry and exit into the little valley and the surrounding hill districts by both the National Highways. But until then, whoever ignores the NH 39 is all foo1ishness, as it affects the ever increasing freight charges and convenient travels.
The people of Nagaland are to be congratulated for their far sighted vision who foregoes the privilege of contract profits and employment of few engineers by unanimously handing or convincing the Government of India (GoI) to transfer their NH 39 portion to the Border Roads Organization (BRO). All people ought to congratulate Mr. Neiphiu Rio Chief Minister, Nagaland whose diplomacy convinced the Union Home Ministry and roped in huge funds for 7.2/5.2 mm premix carpeting works in recent years and expected to be completed in the current working season and be the smoothest surface road of Manipur and Nagaland.
In the meantime, the Chief Engineer, Project Sewak should take up most immediate steps for the depression works at 221.8 Kms and 228 Kms, where two goods vehicles overturned: in the last two years and handyman killed. It is hoped, that they will not be elusive with some major works in the pipeline in this working season.
The non quality control at the suspension bridge at Chakumai GREF Detachment Camp should be strictly conducted. The unwashed mixed clay sands, dusty 16-18 mm stone concretes and stone aggregates broken from the freshly excavated boulders from the opposite bridge site and the stacked sand galvanized by the stir dust should be looked into. Lest it will meet the same fate of the 40 meters span bridge in between Makhan and Maram which developed a crack hole soon after its inauguration in April 28, 1998 and could not be repaired fully till to this day.
Lastly, the estimated costs etc. should be displayed at the bridge site at the earliest as per contract manuals.
Patrick Kolakhe Lerite
(Secy. P & PR Mao Council)
