TDC slams NHIDCL

    20-Oct-2019
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 19: The Transport and Drivers Council (TDC) has lambasted the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) for suspending works on National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam road).
The work agency has been suspending its works citing law and order situatio', said TDC.
Speaking to media persons at its office at MG Avenue today, TDC president H Ranjit said that it has decided to put off the NH 37 bandh it announced earlier in view of the Ningol Chakkouba festival. The TDC on October 9 had said that it would impose bandh unless NHIDCL resume works within 10 days.
The NHIDCL has so far paid no heed to its demands to resume works on the highway. Poor work implementation on Makru and Barak bridges is a matter of grave concern, Ranjit said.
Claiming that BRO (Border Roads Organisation) implemented works better than the NHIDCL when it was the work agency on the Highway, he asserted that the NHIDCL should be responsible for the price hike of commodities, grievances and inconveniences the transports/drivers have been facing on the road.
"The NHIDCL has been claiming that the contractors and the sub-contractors are responsible for repairing works of Makru bridge and has been refusing to take responsibility. TDC had contributed wooden planks worth Rs 3 lakh for installing wheel-guards and runner on the bridge. As much as we want to contribute, TDC is reluctant to help NHIDCL again," Ranjit said.
He said that the bridge lacks safety features like 'wheel-guard and runner' which is quite dangerous for vehicles.
Urging the NHIDCL to take keen interest and finish the works on Barak and Makru bridges on time, he appealed the Chief Minister to expedite the needful processes for speedy construction/reconstruction of the bridges including the proposed Irang bridge.