IT News
Imphal, July 19:
Hill and Plain Contractors’ Association has alleged of nepotism in allocating projects by the government and has sidelined the local contractors.
N. Kumar Meitei, Vice President of the Hill and Plain Contractors’ Association, has raised concerns over delays in government payments and the preferential treatment of contractors with political connections. He claims that only those close to politicians receive timely payments, while others are left waiting indefinitely.
Highlighting the plight of local contractors, Kumar Meitei pointed out that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) now handles most National Highway projects, sidelining local contractors.
Despite promises from ministers and bureaucrats to complete projects within 100 days, many remain unfinished, with allegations of nepotism rampant, according to contractor association.
The situation for local contractors is deteriorating, Kumar Meitei stated, with some resorting to subpar work due to lack of support. Under NHIDCL, the quality of work has suffered significantly, he added.
The association stated that “80 projects are ongoing or awarded, raising questions about the technical capacity to handle land acquisition, construction, and quality control. More than 82% of National Highways in Manipur are managed by NHIDCL, with 26 out of 33 ongoing projects delayed.”
According to the association, key delayed projects include the Imphal to Jiribam section of NH-37, which was scheduled for completion on January 2, 2023, but has only achieved 41% physical progress, resulting in a delay of over a year. Similarly, the Imphal Jiribam section of NH-37, scheduled for completion on December 13, 2022, has only achieved 40% physical progress and is delayed by over a year. The road from Tamenglong to Mahur (NH-137), scheduled for completion on May 19, 2023, has only achieved 38% progress and is also delayed by more than a year. The Yaingangpokpi-Finch Corner section of NH-202, which was supposed to be completed by June 30, 2022, has achieved 54% physical progress and is delayed by over a year, as per contractor’s association.
Common issues across these projects include slow progress, inadequate maintenance, and poor quality control. Several complaints from local communities and organizations have been published in local newspapers earlier, according to Kumar Meitei.
According to the association, reasons for NHIDCL project delays include premature awarding of work before land acquisition, insufficient technical staff, lack of area awareness, frequent changes in top officials, poor coordination with local public and authorities, and lack of strategic planning with the state government.
They urge that local contractors should be given support and the local contractors should also work to maintain quality and timely completion.
