Panel formed to probe IKTR fiasco
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 22: The State Government has formed a high level inquiry committee to probe the multi-crore ADB funded Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road (IKTR) Project.
The IKTR Project covering 103 kilometres was launched in March 2016 under then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi. The Government under N Biren Singh later inherited the project, and present Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam was the Works Minister then.
A grand project, the Imphal-Kangchup-Tameng-long Road was expected to shorten the distance between Imphal and Guwahati by 90 kilometres.
Initially estimated at Rs 1,380 crore, the cost was revised to Rs 1,766 crore later.
While the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had released Rs 1,447.48 crore, the State Government had released its share of Rs 115.20 crore (10 percent).
Even though a total of Rs 1,551.68 crore has already been invested, only around 20 Km of the 103 Km has been blacktopped.
With the time period for execution of the work already expired, sources earlier said that the ADB has lost interest in the project and may not fund it further.
Meanwhile, according to an order issued on July 20, the Government said the 3-member High Level Inquiry Committee will conduct a Special Audit and probe the implementation of the project including the tender process, utilization of funds and execution of the work.
The committee is headed by retired PWD Chief Engineer Kh Temba Singh as the Chairman. It has retired Chief Engineer (NH&NEC) PWD T Rabindrakumar Singh and retired PWD Chief Engineer N Subhas Singh as Members.
The committee shall submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within 3 months, read the order.
While the Govt has constituted the High Level Inquiry Committee, highly placed sources had earlier stated that the matter may also be handed over to the CBI for investigation after the probe by the committee.
IMPHAL, Jul 22: The State Government has formed a high level inquiry committee to probe the multi-crore ADB funded Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road (IKTR) Project.
The IKTR Project covering 103 kilometres was launched in March 2016 under then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi. The Government under N Biren Singh later inherited the project, and present Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam was the Works Minister then.
A grand project, the Imphal-Kangchup-Tameng-long Road was expected to shorten the distance between Imphal and Guwahati by 90 kilometres.
Initially estimated at Rs 1,380 crore, the cost was revised to Rs 1,766 crore later.
While the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had released Rs 1,447.48 crore, the State Government had released its share of Rs 115.20 crore (10 percent).
Even though a total of Rs 1,551.68 crore has already been invested, only around 20 Km of the 103 Km has been blacktopped.
With the time period for execution of the work already expired, sources earlier said that the ADB has lost interest in the project and may not fund it further.
Meanwhile, according to an order issued on July 20, the Government said the 3-member High Level Inquiry Committee will conduct a Special Audit and probe the implementation of the project including the tender process, utilization of funds and execution of the work.
The committee is headed by retired PWD Chief Engineer Kh Temba Singh as the Chairman. It has retired Chief Engineer (NH&NEC) PWD T Rabindrakumar Singh and retired PWD Chief Engineer N Subhas Singh as Members.
The committee shall submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within 3 months, read the order.
While the Govt has constituted the High Level Inquiry Committee, highly placed sources had earlier stated that the matter may also be handed over to the CBI for investigation after the probe by the committee.