State Works minister Thongam Biswajit Singh inspected the condition of the Mao section of the National Highway 2 today, and said road restoration work for this section will be initiated at the earliest.
According to a release, Biswajit said filling up of potholes along this section especially along the Tadubi to Maram stretch will be initiated in a day or two if the weather condition allows.
Stating the Mao section of the highway is considered the lifeline of the State, the minister elaborated that yesterday’s tour was made to inspect the deplorable condition of the highway section and to see what needs to be taken up before the arrival of the monsoon season so that the plights of the drivers and people plying along the road are minimized, it said.
He continued, if the weather condition improves in the next few days, filling up of potholes along the highway section especially in the Tadubi to Maram stretch will be taken up on a priority basis and complete the process within two-three months and make the road traffic worthy, it added.
Biswajit further said, in the second phase more development works will be taken up along the whole stretch of the highway including construction of drainage systems and culverts, adding this will be followed by four laning of the highway.
Further it said the minister pointed out that work on the highway has been assigned to only the state PWD and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The release continued, stressing that the objective of the new government is to bring a change in the state, Biswajit said it is the responsibility of the government to provide good roads and improve the economy of the people and not just inspect road conditions on receiving complaints.
Regarding the recent issue on the non-maintenance of quality in construction of road in Ukhrul, the minister said the work is not under the purview of the PWD. It was taken up by a private firm Bharti Infrastructure Construction Company under the NHIDCL, added the release.
The minister, who was accompanied by engineers including the State PWD Chief Engineer and other officials concerned, also inspected some spots affected by land sliding along the highway, it said.
Source: Imphal Free Press
