By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, May 17: Various road projects under Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are lying incomplete even after major portion of funds for the works have been withdrawn by respective agents, causing immense hardships to a horde of villages in eastern part of Ukhrul district.
Most of these roads being constructed under PMGSY in Ukhrul east are not only delayed unduly, but also breaching the guidelines of the scheme, said Gideon Zimik, president Sambu Raiping Long during a press meet held at Phungreitang here on Saturday.
Disclosing that as per norms, construction of all roads under the scheme should complete within 5 years from work commencement, Zimik pointed out that construction of package no. 928 of 0-15 kms stretch and no. 929 of 15-30 kms stretch connecting Shirui and Chingsui villages commenced on 4 October in 2010 and the alloted time is now ending very soon but the work progress remains sluggish.
He further said that they had apprised the DC and chief engineer repeatedly in the past but little has been done toward early completion till date.
Package no. 928 is constructed by one VS Vareiyo while no. 929 by another contractor Apam Shimray. So far, the former has withdrawn Rs. 26821422 out of Rs. 37121968 sanctioned while the later has utilized Rs. 21614278 out of Rs. 34919305 for which completion is slated for October 2015.
Similarly, contractor Mingthing Horam has withdrawn Rs. 26497184 out of tender amount sanctioned Rs. 39102329.02 till June 2, 2013 for construction of package no. 913 of a 13 kms stretch along Kamjong-Chatric Khullen, while contractor PH Atai withdrew Rs. 30532176 out of Rs. 44487238 sanctioned for another stretch along the same route which started in January 2009 but the work progress is still stuck in 10 per cent with just first cutting.
“It now looks like the contractors are delaying the works deliberately to buy time without executing them,” said AS Ningreishang, headman of Chatric village while adding that the contractors even tried to use sub standard items which were rejected by the villagers.
Expressing similar disapproval, LK Somi, headman Shingcha village said that laying of ring culverts, concrete slabs etc along the BRTF road-Shingcha route had been badly executed and urged the agents not to compromise on quality.
“PMGSY scheme stipulates 6 mtr as standard road width but the BRTF-Maku road does not fulfill this, ” lamented Elezar Zimik, headman Maku village and continued that road alignment followed only the old track rather than aligning a better one.
Meanwhile, coming down on sub contractors Ngatangkhui and Tennyson, VA representative SP Lowry said that construction of road from Maku junction to Langli has failed to serve its intended purpose as its alignment had been done against the wish of the local peoples. “They did not bother to hear the plea of the villagers to avoid steep slopes in the alignment but they only followed the old foot track uphill,” he rued before adding that this only makes the villagers continue to suffer.
