Imp-Tml road work likely to be probed
|
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 5: As the development work of the 103 Kms long Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road has fallen far short of the total amount invested, the same work is likely to probed by an enquiry committee constituted by the State Government, and then by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The project was executed at the cost of Rs 1562 crore approximately, with the lion’s share coming from Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Field inspection by officials found that the reports or documents submitted regarding the project were found quite incompatible when compared to the ground reality, sources said.
For ADB, the time period for executing the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road project has expired. As such, ADB would not sanction any more funds for the project.
Although the time for executing the project has expired, the road development has not been completed yet, said the sources.
Out of the road’s total length of 103 Kms, only around 20 Kms have been black-topped. Moreover, many bridges which are parts of the same road have been left incomplete.
In addition, a work order amounting to Rs 400 crore approximately was issued under the same project without approval of the competent authority, said the sources.
Although the ADB repeatedly asked for a completion report, the Project Director (EAP) did not send the report, according to the sources.
Following these lapses and discrepancies, the ADB has lost interest in the Imphal Ring Road Project.
Because of its bitter experience with the Imphal- Kangchup-Tamenglong Road (IKTR) Project, ADB is no longer interested to invest in the Imphal Ring Road Project, though ADB has not openly said it would not sanction funds for the Project. However it has not been releasing necessary funds for the project even though it has been quite some time since the project was initiated, said the sources.
It was amidst this imbroglio that the people of Tamenglong appealed to the Chief Minister through the local MLA to complete the IKTR Project.
Following the appeal, the State Government initiated steps to construct the road.
After perusing the documents of the IKTR Project, it was learnt that there is balance work of around Rs 300 crore.
To complete the balance work, the State Government floated a tender after which work order was awarded to a company called AMR.
After getting the work order, AMR officials went to the work site and conducted a survey. They found that completing the unfinished work will need an amount much larger than Rs 300 crore, said the sources.
In order to complete the project, the State Government needs to invest an amount of around Rs 400 crore.
Initially, the estimated cost of IKTR Project was Rs 1380 crore but following passage of time and cost escalation, the estimated cost was revised to Rs 1766 crore.
Out of the total revised estimated cost of Rs 1766 crore, the ADB had released Rs 1447.48 crore. The State Government’s share of 10 per cent (Rs 115.20 crore) had also been released.
As such, Rs 1551.68 crore had been invested in the IKTR Project. But the condition of the road does not correspond at all to the total amount invested, further said the sources.
As per a directive from the Government, the department has constituted an enquiry committee and the same has been submitted to Government for approval.
After investigation by the enquiry committee, the same matter may be handed over to the CBI, if necessary, said the sources.
According to the sources, the Government is determined to take strong actions if any engineers are found involved in the discrepancy which has severely maligned the image of both the State Government and the PWD.
With big expectations, the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi officially opened Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road on March 7, 2016 and the road construction started the following day.
It was reported that the Imphal-Kangchup-Tameng-long Road will shorten the distance between Imphal and Guwahati by 90 Kms.
IMPHAL, Jul 5: As the development work of the 103 Kms long Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road has fallen far short of the total amount invested, the same work is likely to probed by an enquiry committee constituted by the State Government, and then by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The project was executed at the cost of Rs 1562 crore approximately, with the lion’s share coming from Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Field inspection by officials found that the reports or documents submitted regarding the project were found quite incompatible when compared to the ground reality, sources said.
For ADB, the time period for executing the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road project has expired. As such, ADB would not sanction any more funds for the project.
Although the time for executing the project has expired, the road development has not been completed yet, said the sources.
Out of the road’s total length of 103 Kms, only around 20 Kms have been black-topped. Moreover, many bridges which are parts of the same road have been left incomplete.
In addition, a work order amounting to Rs 400 crore approximately was issued under the same project without approval of the competent authority, said the sources.
Although the ADB repeatedly asked for a completion report, the Project Director (EAP) did not send the report, according to the sources.
Following these lapses and discrepancies, the ADB has lost interest in the Imphal Ring Road Project.
Because of its bitter experience with the Imphal- Kangchup-Tamenglong Road (IKTR) Project, ADB is no longer interested to invest in the Imphal Ring Road Project, though ADB has not openly said it would not sanction funds for the Project. However it has not been releasing necessary funds for the project even though it has been quite some time since the project was initiated, said the sources.
It was amidst this imbroglio that the people of Tamenglong appealed to the Chief Minister through the local MLA to complete the IKTR Project.
Following the appeal, the State Government initiated steps to construct the road.
After perusing the documents of the IKTR Project, it was learnt that there is balance work of around Rs 300 crore.
To complete the balance work, the State Government floated a tender after which work order was awarded to a company called AMR.
After getting the work order, AMR officials went to the work site and conducted a survey. They found that completing the unfinished work will need an amount much larger than Rs 300 crore, said the sources.
In order to complete the project, the State Government needs to invest an amount of around Rs 400 crore.
Initially, the estimated cost of IKTR Project was Rs 1380 crore but following passage of time and cost escalation, the estimated cost was revised to Rs 1766 crore.
Out of the total revised estimated cost of Rs 1766 crore, the ADB had released Rs 1447.48 crore. The State Government’s share of 10 per cent (Rs 115.20 crore) had also been released.
As such, Rs 1551.68 crore had been invested in the IKTR Project. But the condition of the road does not correspond at all to the total amount invested, further said the sources.
As per a directive from the Government, the department has constituted an enquiry committee and the same has been submitted to Government for approval.
After investigation by the enquiry committee, the same matter may be handed over to the CBI, if necessary, said the sources.
According to the sources, the Government is determined to take strong actions if any engineers are found involved in the discrepancy which has severely maligned the image of both the State Government and the PWD.
With big expectations, the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi officially opened Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road on March 7, 2016 and the road construction started the following day.
It was reported that the Imphal-Kangchup-Tameng-long Road will shorten the distance between Imphal and Guwahati by 90 Kms.