A recently blacktopped stretch of the Naoremthong–Takyel Road via Khuraijam Leikai has started undergoing repair after the Imphal Times team filed an RTI application seeking details of the road work and information on the officer responsible for the project.
The approximately one-kilometre stretch had developed potholes and damaged patches at several locations within about three months of the blacktopping work. In some places, the newly laid bituminous surface had come off, exposing the material underneath, while water accumulation was also observed at one of the damaged portions.
The commencement of repair work after the RTI filing has brought renewed attention to the condition of the newly completed road and the reasons behind its early deterioration.
The Imphal Times team had filed an RTI application seeking details relating to the road work, including the work order, sanctioned cost, technical specifications, contractor or executing agency, records of inspection and the name and designation of the officer responsible for supervision of the work.
Photographs taken on July 26 and August 15 show the change at the site, with the damaged stretch visible in the earlier photograph and repair work underway at the same location in the later photograph.
The early deterioration had raised concerns over whether the road was constructed in accordance with the prescribed specifications and quality standards. The quality of materials used, compaction, execution and supervision are among the aspects that may need to be examined.
While the repair work is a welcome development, it remains important to establish why a newly blacktopped road required repairs within such a short period.
If the damage was caused by poor workmanship or failure to meet contractual specifications, responsibility would need to be fixed in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions. It would also be important to ascertain whether the repair is being carried out under the contractor’s defect-liability obligations or through additional public expenditure.
The RTI response is expected to provide further details on the execution and supervision of the road work and help establish accountability for the early deterioration.