IMPHAL, June 26: The state Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh has today observed before the House that for the first time, preparations for widening of the National Highways passing through the state has been completed.
Responding to a cut motion raised by MLAs during discussion on Demand no 8 for PWD today, the Minister said, under the said preparation the road length of the Imphal to Churachandpur and Imphal to Yaingangpokpi stretches along the National Highway no 150 and the Imphal to Pallel stretch along the National Highway no 2 which pass through thickly populated areas will be widened to 30 meters while the road length passing through less populated areas will be widened to 45 meters.
Acknowledging that all ruling and opposition MLAs participating in the general budget discussion on the demand wants to improve the road connectivity of the state, the Minister said that there are Master Plans, Road Development Plan for the maintenance of the roads of the state for every 20 years.
There is also a programme advisory committee to look after works and activities to be taken up by PWD, he informed.
Stating that the expansion work for the two national highways has been under taken on the serious arduous initiative of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, he said that preparation of a State Road Master Plan has been completed while adding that it will be presented at the cabinet meeting for approval.
On the other hand, Works Minister said that there is no specification of Manipur roads and bridge as of now but efforts to repair it are on.
Pointing out that efforts are being made to convert suspension bridges to RCC bridges in a phased manner, he expressed his desire for 100% transparency when the department invite tenders and issue work orders and appealed to the MLAs to extend cooperation.
Rs 5 crores was deposited with the department for the repairing of the PWD roads being dug out for the PHED sewage project after which funding have been stopped further on the ground that there is no fund and there is shortage of fund, but the department has continued to repair the roads, out of necessity, he said.