Mayai Lambi repair work Eyes set on Mar/Apr deadline

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 9: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh launched a project to strengthen Mayai Lambi, National Highway 137A from Imphal to Kakching Lamkhai today.
The flagging off ceremony of the project was held at Langthabal Lep Makha Leikai, Imphal West.
The “Strengthening of existing pavement from Km 0.00 to Km 15.35 and Km 30.00 to Km 45.00 of NH-137A (Imphal- Kakching Lamkhai section) is a project worth Rs 74 crore, sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), Government of India.”
Of the project, work order amounting to Rs 59 crore has been sanctioned with an 11 month deadline, and maintenance period of 3 years.
The project being undertaken as a joint venture of 5 contractors is expected to be completed well before the deadline.
During the launch of the project, the contractors assured the Chief Minister that the work will be completed by the last week of April.
The Chief Minister, however, urged the contractors to put in sincere effort and complete the project by March.
The joint venture will be provided future assistance if it is able to complete the work by March, said the Chief Minister.
Further, he urged the contractors to maintain quality.
He openly instructed the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department not to release the contractors' bill if quality is not maintained.
At the function, the Chief Minister also commented on the current crisis, and stressed that his Government's priority is resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and restoration of peace.
He declared that the State Government would take responsibility for the safety of the people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community who visit Imphal for reasons including medical treatment.
"The State Government will take the responsibility for the safety and security of all members of the Kuki-Zo community who visit Imphal for medical treatment. No harm will come to them when they visit Imphal," Khemchand said.
Khemchand further informed that MLA Vungjagin Valte was airlifted from Imphal to Delhi for treatment yesterday.
Khemchand said he received a phone call from MLA Valte on Saturday night wishing him on being sworn in as the Chief Minister.
During the call, Khemchand said, Valte assured his assistance in efforts to bring peace.
Later at night at around 10 of the same day, Valte's son informed him about his father's condition and sought his assistance, Khemchand said.
After learning Valte had been admitted to the ICU of District Hospital Churachandpur, Khemchand said he arranged for medical assistance and subsequent evacuation of the MLA to Delhi from Imphal yesterday.
A doctor in London and RIMS doctors provided necessary medical assistance, he added, wishing Valte speedy recovery.
At the event, Keishamthong Assembly Constituency MLA, Nishikant Singh Sapam said the Mayai Lambi is an important lifeline of the region, and urged the contractors to maintain quality and complete the project early.
He wished for Manipur to return to normalcy and peace.
The flagging off programme, organised by the Public Works Department, was attended by Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, Commissioner to Chief Minister N Ashok Kumar, Imphal West Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar, PWD Chief Engineer Chongtham Biswachandra Singh and officials of the Works Department.