Manipur,IMPHAL, January 31: The State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today laid the foundation stone of the Leimatak Bridge at Taosang in Tamenglong district.
The foundation stone laying function was also attended by state Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh and Chief Secretary DS Poonia as the President and Guest of honor respectively.
Addressing the locals attending the function, Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said the state government is trying to bring equal development in both the hills and the valley.
“Tamenglong could well become one of the most advanced districts of the state in the future, however the people should cultivate a work culture and prepare themselves for the upcoming development works,” he said.
The Dy CM who is also the state Home Minister said that the government is targeting production of 66 megawatt of electricity from the Loktak Downstream project and another 60 megawatt from the Irang Hydro project. The two projects are being undertaken under the National Hydro Power Commission.
He said the the Leimatak bridge is of great significance for the completion of the projects.
Elaborating further, the Dy CM said, the people of the state have waited for more than 20 years for the completion of the two projects which had been shelved for a long time after problems erupted even before work was started. The projects were once again revived only after the state Chief Minister along with himself fervently urged the concern authorities, he continued.
Completion of the two projects will lessen the present electricity supply problem to a great extent and as such the people of the area should consider the projects as their own and co-operate with the authorities for the completion of the projects, he said.
He said for the completion of the two projects, road connectivity is a priority and in order to complete the Leimatak Bridge at the earliest, 70 percent of the required material has already been stored at the work site.
The government will provide all possible security cover during the construction of the bridge, he assured.
Once the construction of the bridge is completed it will not only develop the economic condition of the area but will also create a township, he said while adding that the area has also all the needed attractions for adventure tourism.
The place could also attract a lot of tourists, he said.
Works Minister Ratankumar said that if there were no hindrances to the construction, the aim is to complete the bridge within a period of six months. He further sought all possible cooperation from the people of the area.
He continued the NEC has already sanctioned Rs 147.71 crores for the Rengpang to Erang road and Bishenpur to Nungba road. Tenders for the construction of the two roads will be announced soon, he added. Another Rs 277 crores has already been sanctioned under the ADB project for the construction of Tupul to Bishenpur in Phase I and Thoubal to Kasom Khullen in Phase II, he said and added that the tenders will be announced soon.
The Works Minister continued that the Leimatak Bridge is very much important for the Loktak Downstream project and as such a team of the North East Council has already inspected the Tupul to Leimatak Bridge road.
Construction work of the said road is in full progress, he said.
The projects undertaken will improve the present power supply in the state and as such the PWD will take up all possible steps to ensure the early completion of the works on the road, he said.
All the concerned have been strictly instructed to maintain quality control, he said and added that 90 percent of the formation cutting of the road is complete, however the singling of the road will be completed before the rainy season, he said.
Under the Special Plan Assistance, Rs 10 crore has already been sanctioned for road, however making the road an all-weather road will take some more time, as experts have said that the recently deposited soil will take about two years to consolidate.
