Imphal, July 29: The Union Minister of State Road and Transport, Pon Radhakrishnan who visited Imphal-Jiribam Road along with the official of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to inspect the progress of the construction of the National Highway, today, asserted that state government must immediately ban the quarrying in hill areas of the state.
The Minister who is on his two day visit in Imphal to inspect the conditions of the two national highways of Manipur inspected the condition of the road till Kotland along the Imphal-Jiribam Highway including places which has been damaged by the landslides.
Speaking to the media persons on his visit to the Imphal-Jiribam Highway, Pon Radhakrishnan explain that the Imphal-Jiribam highway road was schedule to be completed by March, 2018 but the current condition of the road is dangerous and it may collapse anytime during landslide.
The only reason is because of the quarry, so the government should ban quarrying in the hill areas especially along the national highways to prevent any kind of landslides in the near future, he added.
Pon Radhakrishnan also said that apart from Central Road Fund (CRF), centre is also looking for various schemes for some other projects for Manipur.
Meanwhile, during a press briefing at Hotel Classic Grande today, the Minister stated that the NHIDCL will repair the 220 Km long national highway no. 37, Imphal-Jiribam road at an estimated cost of Rs 162 crore and will complete the work by March, 2018.
Pon Radhakrishnan said that the 90 km long road from Tamenglong to Peren via Longdi Pabram has been declared “In-Principle” national highway while Shangshak to Nampisha section has been included under the Bharat Mala scheme of Ministry.
The 724 km long national highway, under the cost of Rs 1431 crore is in progress.
Construction of Barak and Makru bridge along the Imphal-Jiribam highway under the cost of Rs 141.14 crore is likely to be completed by March, 2020.
The 162 km rehabilitation of Churachandpur to Tuivai on National Highway – 102 under the cost of Rs 168 crore is likely to be completed by March, 2018.
Almost all the construction works of the national highways will be done by NHIDCL, the minister added.
Pon Radhakrishnan asserts that in future the works will be started and will not be delayed due to some misunderstandings.
