IMPHAL, March 18: A detailed report against the against the concerned authorities’ negligence of National Highway 37 will be highlighted to the Union Ministry of Surface Road and Transport, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson RK Shivchandra.
A BJP team accompanied by media persons conducted a spot survey of the worst portions of the highway and three bailey bridges namely Barak, Irang and Makru on Thursday.
The BJP team was led by the party spokesperson and conducted under the guidance of party president Th Chaoba.
Shivachandra said a report will be compiled based on the tour. The report which will be on the worst road stretch and bridges along the highway will be submitted subsequently to the Union Ministry, he said.
He said the BJP will not stay silent as the BRO and the State government continue to play games with the highway.
He said the team has met the Commanding Officer of BRTF Noney Unit and inquired why there is a weight restriction of only 24 tonnes on trucks passing through the Barak Bridge, whereas there is no such restriction on the Makru Bridge which has the same specific components as Barak Bridge.
He continued the Barak Bridge which was inaugurated only last year but has already breakdown four times already.
According to the Motor Vehicle Act, a bailey bridge can accommodate 40 tonnes, he said.
He further questioned why such a weak bridge is constructed along one of the most important lifelines of the State.
Essential commodities of the State are road fed, he said and restricting weights of goods laden trucks to just 24 tonne will affect the transportation of essential commodities, he added.
Shivchandra continued on September 4, 2015, an officer of the BRTF identified as Jiten had promised that within two months, the Barak Bridge steel plates will be replaced by wooden plates and wheel guards will be fixed for safety of trucks during a high-level meeting with the chief secretary of Manipur, Chief Engineer, Transport Secretary at the New Secretariat Imphal.
Jiten has failed to keep his assurance, he said demanding Jiten’s hidden agenda.
The BJP team inspected the whole portion of NH 37 till Makru Bridge starting from Imphal.
He demanded why the bridges along the road are neglected by the government.
He said the detailed report of the tour will be submitted to the Union Ministry and hopefully the Centre will take some action after the monsoon season.
BJP State treasurer Robin Blacky said the works undertaken by the BRO on the two Bailey bridges Barak Bridge and Makru Bridge is not satisfactory.