Concrete road : PWD CE seeks to set record straight

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 24 : Chongtham Bishwachandra, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), has assured that the implementation of concrete road (rigid pavement) project in Imphal will not result in narrowing the road width and explained that the concrete roads constructed so far are narrower than the intended width because the machinery used cannot cover the entire road.
The remaining areas of the road will be manually paved with durable paver blocks, which are designed to withstand heavy vehicles, said the Chief Engineer and explained that these paver blocks can be removed when necessary for pipe installations for water supply.
Speaking a during an interaction programme held at Hotel Imphal which was attended by officials of different departments and journalists today, Bishwachandra continued that all contractors involved in the Manipur Urban Road, Drainage, and Asset Management Improvement Project (MURDAMIP) have been instructed to prioritize public safety during the execution of the project.
He mentioned that the MURDAMIP, being implemented with an investment of Rs 3,647.23 crore, covers a total road stretch of 547.281 Km in Greater Imphal and the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Of the total expenditure, Rs 2,896.02 crore is a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with repayment to be shared by the Centre and the State in a 90:10 ratio, he said.
The Chief Engineer stated that the blacktopping of 117 km of road stretches, laying of 25 km of concrete roads, construction of 41 km of drains, and building of 29 km of retaining walls have been completed under the project.
Stating that the project involves more than just the construction of concrete roads, but also includes the building of drains, retaining walls, and bus waiting sheds, he added that the implementation of the project on such a scale in the capital areas of Manipur is a first for the country.
The Chief Engineer further mentioned that the project which was launched in 2025 is scheduled for completion in three years, with a five-year repair period.
The project is being executed by five companies, he added.
The implementation of the project was delayed due to heavy rainfall, frequent flooding, and the time required to bring machinery from other States, he said and added that they, nonetheless, are working diligently to complete the project as soon as possible.
Concrete roads should not be used for at least 14-15 days after construction is completed, he said, adding that the roads should be closed during this period by coordinating with local clubs and organisations.
Acknowledging that the construction of concrete roads has resulted in unevenness of roads, the Chief Engineer said that the contractors have been instructed to fill the uneven areas with earth to address the issue to some extent.
Public safety must be the highest priority when executing any project, he emphasised, urging the contractors to take necessary precautions, such as closing roads and installing barricades, to ensure safety. For the moment, all works on the concrete pavements have been stalled to first take up necessary safety measures, he added.
If any accidents or unfortunate incidents occur due to lapses in safety measures, the contractors will be held responsible, he said.
The Chief Engineer further stated that the Government will address all complaints regarding inconveniences faced by the public to resolve them.
Saying that asphalt roads do not last long in Manipur due to frequent flooding, he sought support from the  public in the execution of the concrete road project.
He also appealed to the people to refrain from driving on the concrete roads until they are fully ready for use.
Responding to a query about frequent road digging for sewerage projects and pipe fittings, S Rahul Dev Sharma, Executive Engineer of PHED ,explained that all projects come with set deadlines, which sometimes result in multiple projects being carried out simultaneously.
He expressed a desire for better coordination between departments to ensure smoother project implementation.
The interaction programme was also attended by contractors of different companies and officials of different departments.