UKHRUL: The long-anticipated Shirui Heritage Village and Bakshi Ground Project has crossed a significant milestone with the completion of the technical evaluation of bids, even as questions surrounding execution, transparency, and timelines continue to attract public scrutiny.
Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Asish Das, on Tuesday announced that the technical evaluation under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for the financial year 2025–26 has been successfully concluded. The announcement was made during a briefing at the DC Video Conference Hall in the presence of senior district officials.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, three firms participated in the tender process—M/s Nongmaithem Enterprises, M/s Bhartia Infra Projects Limited, and M/s Kim & Sons Construction & Equipments. Following a detailed technical assessment, only M/s Bhartia Infra Projects Limited was found to meet the eligibility criteria specified in the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT).
Das stated that the submissions of M/s Nongmaithem Enterprises and M/s Kim & Sons Construction & Equipments failed to satisfy certain mandatory technical requirements. In contrast, the credentials furnished by M/s Bhartia Infra Projects Limited, including completion certificates of similar projects and statutory compliance documents, were independently verified with competent authorities and found to be valid.
Emphasising the integrity of the process, the Deputy Commissioner said the evaluation was carried out in strict conformity with tender norms, with independent verification from issuing departments and financial institutions to ensure transparency and fairness. The financial bid of the technically qualified firm will be opened in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Responding to concerns over the project’s implementation through the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Ukhrul, Das clarified that the DRDA is chaired by an IAS officer and supported by an experienced Project Director, three Manipur Civil Service officers, and a strong technical and administrative team.
Detailing the agency’s capacity, he said DRDA has a programme officer, one executive engineer, two assistant engineers, two section officers, eight MIS officers, and a total workforce of 72 staff. “We are capable of executing this project,” Das said, adding that the agency’s familiarity with local conditions gives it a deeper stake in Ukhrul’s development. “We have a vision of how Ukhrul should develop.”
Describing the Shirui Heritage Project as personally significant, the Deputy Commissioner recalled that the Shirui Lily Festival was the first major event he organised after assuming charge of the district. “It helped me understand how central Shirui is to Ukhrul’s identity and tourism potential,” he noted.
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To ensure construction quality and accountability, a multi-stakeholder monitoring committee has been constituted, comprising district officials, technical experts, village headmen, and members of the Shirui Lily Festival Organising Committee. In addition, UDCRMS has been engaged as a third-party monitoring agency, with monthly quality assessments planned.
With a tendered cost estimated at ₹65 crore and a projected completion period of 36 months—expected to commence by late February or early March—the project is being positioned as a landmark initiative for Ukhrul district. The Deputy Commissioner underlined that improved road connectivity would be key to unlocking the district’s tourism potential.
The district administration reiterated that the entire process has been conducted with sincerity, integrity, and objectivity, and assured that all project-related records have been properly documented and maintained.