IT News
Imphal, May 20:
Poor alternative arrangement by Hindustan Construction Company Limited while constructing the main bridge of Lamsang Bazar renders numerous inconveniences to the people residing in the locality and neighboring areas as water flows over the culvert, which was supposed to be a temporary bridge. Moreover, the road link was cut off for more than four days, causing problems for traffic movements and affecting the local economy.
An irate local says: “Without appropriate planning, the Hindustan Construction Company Limited assembled a culvert as an alternative route around 10 feet below the previous main bridge. The company didn’t plan for such capabilities. If the heavy downpour persists, we will be facing the same trouble again.”
As the road was cut off due to the high water level, the road from Taothong Lamkhai to Lamsang Thong Maning via Taothong was operated as an alternative route to reach the neighborhoods on the western side of the bridge. But, as massive traffic jams continued due to the narrow roads, locals came out to ban traffic movement occasionally.
When asked why a culvert was constructed instead of a temporary bridge at Lamsang Bazar, Venkata Ramana, who claimed to be working as the Project Construction Head at the Hindustan Construction Company Limited, told Imphal Times that the culvert was constructed with due approval from the government and added that the main bridge would be completed within three months. But the official failed to give a copy of the approval order when the residents of Lamsang Bazar requested it, the Imphal Times learned.
A local also vented his anger, saying that the HCC keeps giving false commitments to people living in the area. “They have not even blacktopped the road near the bridge, which would be around 100 meters, causing multiple road accidents and dust-related issues,” he said, adding that the road will be blocked by the localities if there is no government intervention within the next few days.