Tangkhul Civil Society comprising TNL and the Longphangs (zonal associations) of the district have served an ultimatum to the contractor to complete the restoration works of NH-102A in Ukhrul town areas by December 15.
A team of the district’s CSO leaders including TNL Vice President K Tuisem, Chairmen of Ato, Zingtun and Zingsho Longphangs- Dearson Chamroy, Yurthing Kasar ang Joshua Longhar, highlighted the dismal quality and slow work progress of the construction, during a press briefing at TNL President Office Chamber on Monday.
According to the public leaders, the Contractor namely, Md Nasir Shah of Kairang Awang Leikai, Pangei, Imphal East, has betrayed the trust of the public and the NHIDCL authority by missing the target for timely commencement and completion of the repair works.
It is learnt that the restoration of NH-102A from Dungrei Junction to Lamlang Gate via Ukhrul town section is to cover a distance of km 11.60 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,43,52,018.
“Now, even as the public are awaiting early completion of the repair works before Christmas festival, the works have stopped since the past five days,” Chamroy pointed out, while adding that lack of raw materials was cited as the reason for the halt.
He said that the contractor was first asked to complete the works by 25 November but he had failed. “Then again another date, 6 December, was set for completion of the works but that too could not be fulfilled,” he related.
“Now, for the last time, we are asking him to complete the work portions falling within 5 km stretch of the main town by 15 December. At the same time, the contractor Md Nasir Shah himself should also report to the office of the apex customary body on or before 12 December. “Failing this, the public would be compelled to take up strong actions against him,” they cautioned.
According to the public leaders, the work was supposed to begin from October but it started only on 20 November last. “So far, the repair works have covered only about 2 km from Dungrei junction to Phungreitang out of the 11.60 km,” they said, adding that even the resurfaced portions were being left without the final seal coats.
They continued that since the start of the works, the contractor has been missing and the NHIDCL authority also chided the contracted for the slow pace of the works and directed him to speed up the work progress, following pressure from the Longphangs.
“You are requested to start the work immediately so that the progress may be expedited and complete the works in town area (from km 0.0) to km 5.00) on or before 25 November, 2020. Otherwise, strict actions will be taken,” Bulbul Chandra Das, Dy. General Manager NHIDCL, PMU-Ukhrul stated in an official instruction to the contractor on 10 November last.
“Many promises have been made from your side that work will start at the earliest from the last month but still it is not yet started. Further, the local Civil Society Organizations of Ukhrul Town had also requested to complete the work of Ukhrul Town before 25 November 2020 after which the crowd will be very heavy in Town area for the festival. This will become a huge hindrance for the progress of work,” Chandra Das instructed the contractor.
