IMPHAL, February 25: A team of the Bharatiya Janata Youth Mandal Manipur BJYM team visited the INA complex at Moirang and expressed shock at its condition.
Speaking to media persons after inspecting various components of the complex, president of the BJYM Oinam Malesh said according to official records available with the Centre, Rs 12.38 crores was sanctioned in 2011 for the construction of Mega Tourism Spots.
He said in the tourism map of the State, the INA complex at Moirang holds one of the top spot; however, despite the government sanctioning huge amounts for development of tourism, the complex continues to be in a deplorable condition.
He charged local MLA M Prithiviraj who is the parliamentary secretary of Tourism and the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who also holds the Tourism portfolio for misappropriating the funds meant for development of Moirang.
He said the too should be held responsible if the Centre deny any more funds in the tourism sector.
Malesh further appealed to the people to teach the local MLA and the CM for misusing and misplacing the developmental funds meant for the tourism sector.
He further demanded the State government to take befitting action against the concerned engineers and contractors involved in the development of INA complex and to black list their license.
He added the MDS should also take action, and if the concerned authorities failed to take any action, the BJYM will launch several agitations.
Malesh also said that during the spot visit, it was found that several cracks had appeared on the first floor of the two-storey underground parking. It was also found that water had seeped into the ground floor, he said.
The exit and entry terminals could be dangerous to vehicles, he said, adding that although the construction is reportedly 90 percent complete, it is a technically failed structure.
The parking lot is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 595.13 lakhs, he said.
It is also surprising that we can’t find the construction of cafeteria in the complex although it was reported that construction has been 10 percent complete, he said and added that the cafeteria is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 93.49 lakhs, he said.
According to the local residents, the old compound fencing was painted with new colours, he said pointing out that the team had not found any new construction of the wall.
However, according to official documents almost 70 percent has been completed of the wall constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 235.37 lakhs, he claimed.
He further said although official records said construction of an ordinary parking at an estimated cost of Rs 17.93 lakhs has been completed 50 percent, the team couldn’t find it.
He further said the official document claimed that 50 percent of a drain has been completed. The drain is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 42.05 lakhs, he said.
Malesh also assured that the BJYM will send all reports, photos and video footage collected by it will be submitted to the Prime Minister, Union Tourism Minister and DoNER ministry.
He said a 10-member BJYM team will attend the All India Youth Convention for BJP at Mathura starting from March 3, where Prime Minister will attend as chief guest.
The BJYM will highlight various central sponsor projects position in Manipur, he said.