Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for four-lane Irang RCC bridge and also inaugurated the Irang bailey bridge constructed by the Indian Army at Toubam village in Noney district.
Speaking at the occasion, Biren said that earlier the state had mainly relied on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) for shipping in of essential items as NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) was not in a good shape. However, NH-37 has also improved a lot in the past few years thereby truly serving as the second lifeline of the state, he added.
The chief minister informed that he had also requested the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Committee(NHIDCL) to complete Makru and Barak RCC bridges by mid-January next year and Irang bridge by December next year.
Biren stated, “Once these three RCC bridges are completed, there would not be any further problem of bridge collapse and the economic condition of the people residing along the highway would also automatically improve.”
Following the collapse of Irang Bailey Bridge along the highway on November 1, the state government worked day and night in finding ways to restore it as soon as possible. The state government worked in coordination with 57 Mountain of the Indian Army led by Col. Shashikumar and NHIDCL to reconstruct the bridge at the earliest but the bridge slipped down again during the reconstruction process, said Biren.
However, the bridge was successfully reinstalled within a month due to the tireless efforts of the 52nd Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army and NHIDCL, he added.
(PHOTO: Twitter/@NBirenSingh)
Lauding the efforts of the Indian Army, Biren also announced a reward of Rs five lakh with commendation certificate to the 52nd Engineering Regiment for their good work done for the people of Manipur.
The chief minister maintained that the state government is taking up concerted steps to provide tap water to every household of the state with the Rs 3000 crore worth Manipur Water Supply Project under the Jal Jeevan Mission - Har Ghar Jal Scheme.
He further said that the work had been awarded to an agency after the completion of the tender process. He also appealed to the people to extend support during the construction of the bridge and come up if there is any grievance and problem.
Biren assured to look into and redress the grievances brought up by the villagers regarding land compensation.
Stressing that good communication and transportation is key to development, he said that the state government has been giving prime focus to revamping of NH-37.
The chief minister also said that Noney will become a tourist spot, which can even attract foreign tourists since the Indian Railways is currently developing the highest railway bridge of the world at Noney.
Announcing that the government will start convening cabinet meetings in different hill districts soon, Biren said that development works would be reviewed in these meetings. He also requested the people to air their grievances in advance before cabinet meetings are held in their district headquarters.
Forest and Environment Minister Awangbou Newmai, who was also present in the function, said that the chief minister had a strong determination to build concrete bridges on Imphal-Jiribam road.
He said that Irang RCC Bridge will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 49.31 crore by NHIDCL.
Seeking cooperation of the public in developmental works, he urged them not to disturb the national projects in their pursuit to fulfil a demand.
Tamenglong ADC chairman Namsinrei Panmei, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, additional chief secretary (Works) P Vaiphei, 57 Mountain Division GOC Major General VT Mathew and executive director of NHIDCL Rajeev Sood also attended the function as dignitaries.
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