IMPHAL, Oct 19: Calling upon the Union home secretary GK Pillai to personally inspect the present condition of the National Highway-53 before leaving the state, H Ranjit, president Transport and Drivers Council Manipur has annulled the BRO report to the Union home secretary of their possession of about 100 labours and machineries presently engaged in the developmental work of National Highway 53.
Speaking during a press conference held at the TDC office, Ranjit alleged that except for some labours on the highway, drivers while plying on the highway can see no other machinery. He further appeal the home secretary to personally inspect the condition of the NH-53 instead of wasting his little time in the state by attending some insignificant functions.
While appreciating and expressing heartfelt gratitude to GK Pillai for announcing the Rs 300 crore which has been sanctioned by the central government to upgrade the NH-53 to world class standard road.
Stating that the BRO has been in the state for more than 30 years looking after the development and black topping of the highway without much improvement in the condition of the highway, Ranjit appealed to the concern authorities and the BRO to make public the utilization certificate of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by the government. He has also appealed to the concern ministry to put a weekly or monthly monitoring cell on the BRO for transparency and accountability in the execution of the developmental work.
Regarding the issue of hoarding of black market petroleum products in the state he has added that the government should allow open sale in all pumps in the state as it used to be in normal days instead of opening only a few petrol pumps at a time.
Blaming officials of the Indian Oil Corporation of the state and central government for inadequate supply and high price of petroleum products in the state, Ranjit maintained that highhandedness and inconsiderate officials of the IOC in cahoots with the central government seem to be devising a policy which could result in the shortage of petroleum product in the state.
Ranjit also claimed that the incident where a team of officials from New Delhi led by the joint secretary home, (North East in-charge) raided and unearthed hoardings of black market petroleum in different parts of the state is a shame on the people of the state and more so to the state government.
Warning the drivers plying on NH 39 of stern action while the council had already called for a ban of plying on the road, Ranjit maintained that any consequence should be the sole responsibility of the drivers defying the ban.
He further declared that a total of 106 goods laden vehicles will be reaching Imphal late tonight from Jiribam along NH-53.
