Deplorable conditions of vital roads discussed
PWD Minister said his department is planning to blacklist a road construction company med Simplex for negligence in its work and missing deadlines.
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 22: The non-completion of the East-West Corridor started in 2006, the poor condition and slow progress in construction of four laning of the gaon-Dibrugarh road and also the deplorable conditions of other different vital roads across the State were discussed in the ongoing budget session of the State Assembly on Friday.
Members of both ruling and opposition parties expressed their grave concern over the delay in completion of construction of the East-West Corridor and the four laning of the gaon-Dibrugarh road, alleging the construction companies for not taking their work seriously and missing deadlines often, creating problems for the general public.
In his reply, PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said his department is planning to blacklist a road construction company med Simplex for negligence in its work and missing deadlines. He would also persolly talk to Simplex officials about the reasons for the delay in completion of construction work of the Jagiroad-Morigaon road as per schedule.
On this issue, BJP MLA Pijush Hazarika alleged that the road connecting Jagiroad to Morigaon is in deplorable condition, but the construction of the vital road is yet to be completed by the company concerned. The deadline for completion of construction of the road was in 2014, added Hazarika.
In his reply, Suklabaidya said it’s a matter of grave concern and he would take up the issue with Simplex.
Raising a question in the House, Congress MLA and former PWD minister Ajanta Neog said the construction work of the East-West Corridor was handed over in 2005 to the tiol Highway Authority of India (NHAI) which in turn allotted the work to some other construction companies in 2006, but construction of the Assam part of the East-West Corridor has not yet been completed. She also pointed at the slow progress of the four laning of the gaon-Dibrugarh road. “After handing over the work to the construction companies, they make unnecessary delay, and the practice should be stopped.”
On this issue, Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purakayastha, AGP MLA Pradip Hazarika, BPF MLA Rabiram rzary and few others expressed grave concern.
It may be mentioned that the 31-km stretch of the East-West Corridor that passes through Dima Hasao district connecting Barak Valley is yet to be constructed despite several complaints lodged by the people of the Valley.
On this issue, the State PWD Minister said it would need time as there are hurdles like environmental clearance. He informed that existing road connecting Dima Hasao district to Barak Valley would be renovated to double-lane for the convenience of the public.