IMPHAL, January 5: Refuting the allegations that the Public Works Department is responsible for the damage on the two Ima Market by the earthquake, minister Kh Ratankumar clarified today that his department cannot be linked with its construction.
Briefing mediapersons at his Babupara office today, the Works minister stated that Laxmi Market and the New Market were constructed by National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited, (NBCC) which is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Urban Development. It was built entirely under the funding of the Central government and inaugurated in November 2010. He mentioned that the Works department constructed the Ima Market only among the three structures, which is not damaged.
However, the two markets namely Laxmi bazaar and New Market has been cordoned off as the Government deems it unsafe. He stated that his Department is assessing the damage done and some temporary propping of the pillars and other damaged areas is carried out. For further expert opinions on whether the structures can be restored or not, the State government has sought the help of experts from Indian Institute of Technology , Roorkee. The three experts are Dr. Yogendra Singh; Dr Manish Shrikhande and Dr BK Maheshwari . They are faculty of IIT Roorkee in Department of Structural Earthquake Engineering. They will be arriving in the State on January 7 and undertake preliminary survey and identify immediate measures to be taken up, conduct both field test and laboratory tests. They will decide whether the market structures can be retrofitted or needs to be demolished. The team will also asses areas of Chandel district to identify landslide areas and visit other damaged structures.
The minister said further that there will be discussions with NBCC on how the structure was compromised. Meanwhile , both Laxmi bazaar and New Market has been cordoned off, the ministerial block at New Secretariat has also included as an unsafe zone.