The State Public Works Department (PWD) has warned contractors engaged in the Manipur Urban Road, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project (MURDAMIP) to immediately stop construction work if prescribed safety measures are not followed.
Speaking at a press conference held at Imphal Hotel today morning, Chief Engineer Chongtham Bishwachandra said any contractor failing to comply with road safety guidelines must halt work with immediate effect. He said the warning was issued in view of several complaints from the public regarding inconvenience and safety risks during the execution of the project in Imphal.
Chongtham Bishwachandra stated that the department has been receiving complaints about difficulties faced by residents and road users and, in response, has decided to set up a grievance redress mechanism to ensure public safety. He said the department has been monitoring the situation through multiple channels, including reports and visuals uploaded on social media, and has been taking immediate steps wherever lapses are noticed.
The Chief Engineer said any casualty caused due to technical failure or negligence on the part of contractors or agencies executing the work would amount to a criminal act and would attract punishment under the law. He added that, so far, no formal complaint related to casualties has been received by the department.
Describing the Manipur Urban Road, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project as the first of its kind in the country covering the entire Imphal city, Chongtham Bishwachandra said the scale of the project sometimes poses implementation challenges for engineers. He said the department had earlier received reports about cracks at certain locations but solutions were found and the situation has since improved. He added that while minor issues may arise during execution, departmental engineers are working round the clock to address them at the earliest.
He stated that the department undertakes projects for public welfare and said if a project creates danger instead of easing public movement, it is better to stop the work. He warned contractors to strictly comply with safety norms within one week so that work can continue without risk to the public.
The Chief Engineer said contractors have been instructed to install proper safety and information signage, create public awareness, and coordinate with local residents by providing prior information before carrying out construction activities.
Apart from safety concerns, he said public grievances include uneven road levels, dust pollution, absence of paver roads, and increased risk of accidents. To address these issues, the department has introduced a three-tier grievance redress mechanism. Complaints will first be handled by executive engineers at project sites, followed by the project director if unresolved, and finally at the state level under the administrative secretary.
Bishwachandra said the project covers a total road length of 547.281 kilometres for improvement and construction, along with road asset management and a preliminary hydrology study of the Imphal Basin. He said the total project cost is Rs 3,647.23 crore, of which Rs 2,896.02 crore is financed through a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
He added that the project is being executed through four Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract packages, all of which have already been awarded and are under implementation. The construction period is three years with a defect liability period of five years, and contractors have been urged to immediately comply with safety instructions so that the work can proceed and be completed within the scheduled timeframe.