Union Minister of Highways and Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari has sought cooperation from Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba and the Manipur government to complete the construction of two national highways in Manipur amid disturbances from various quarters.
The Union minister was replying to Manipur MP Sanajaoba at the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Sanajaoba informed the House that the construction works of National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and National Highway 37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam) are progressing very slowly and that the present condition of both highways is pathetically bad.
“What steps will be taken by the ministry to expedite the ongoing construction work and improve the national highways at the earliest?” he asked.
Gadkari replied that the works have already been awarded but they are facing crucial law and order issues in the state. “The people are not allowing the contractors to work,” he said.
He mentioned that he had special meetings with the chief minister and officers and that the law and order situation in the state is very sensitive. He urged MP Sanajaoba, the chief minister, and the state administration to cooperate with the ministry to resolve the issue and allow the work to proceed.
“We will take preventive measures to maintain the road,” Gadkari said. He asked how the project can be implemented when the contractors are facing significant losses and the ministry is encountering problems over compensation.
Stating that the Centre is very much committed to completing the work, the Union minister sought cooperation from the state.
