IMPHAL, 25th June (DIPR): The Editors’ Guild Manipur organised a one day media sensitization program on the state of higways in Manipur today at Hotel Classic, Imphal.
During the program, officials of the Public Works Department including Chief Engineer Shri Ch. Tiken highlighted the challenges and problems faced by the Public Works Department department during construction and maintenance of highways in the State.
Delivering the keynote address, Editors’ Guild Manipur secretary general Shri Yumnam Rupachandra said that the sensitation program will help the media persons understand the workings of the department which will eventually help them when they write a report on the national and state highways of the State.
He also spoke at lenght on the need for media persons to file a balanced report so as to ensure proper flow of ‘right information’ to the public.
In his speech, the Chief Engineer expressed gratitude to the EGM for organising the interaction program between officials of his department and the media.
The Chief Engineer said since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, the PWD has not taken up any new road in the State other than those under fully central sponsored schemes.
The Chief Engineer also highligthed lack of funds as a major issue faced by the department, and at the same time observed that lack of co-ordination between different departments has also led to the deplorable condition of the roads in the State.
Additional CE (NH) Shri N. Noren spoke on the condition of National Highways in the State. He said that under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways there are 13 highways in the State. He explained these highways are entrusted to three different agencies including the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation and the PWD.
He said the six highways entrusted to the PWD are National Highway-2 (Mao-to Imphal), NH-202 Imphal-Yaingangpokpi, NH 102 Imphal-Moreh Border Bridge, NH 37 Imphal-Jiribam (only 3.22km from Imphal to Oriental College), NH 137 (A) Imphal to Kakching via Mayang Imphal and 102 (A) Sansad to Tengnoupal. He contiuned the Imp-Moreh highway is entrusted to the NHIDCL, however, the PWD has been entrusted with the maintenance of the highway.
Additional Chief Engineer (SH) PWD Shri T Rabindrakumar spoke on “Condition of State Highways in Manipur.” He said under the State Highways there are four kinds of roads Major District Roads (582 km approx.), Other District Roads(900 km approx.), Inter-Village Roads (7900 km approx.) and State Highways (750 km approx.).
Explaining some of the problems confronting the maintenance of SHs in the State, he said the roads are not wide enough to accomodate the increase in traffic volume in the State. He also said that lack of fund is another major issue in maintenance and construction of roads.
PWD, SE Shri Y Joykumar spoke about the problems, issues, challenges faced by the officials in construction and maintenance of highways in the State. Explaining further, he said the thickness and width of road in the State are unable to accomodate the increase in traffic volume. Other issues highlighted include lack offunds, overloaded vehicles, law and order issues among others.
An interaction program between the officials and the attending media persons was also held as part of the sensitization program. Today’s program was moderated by Editors’ Guild Manipur president Shri A Mobi. (DIPR)
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