National Highway Authority of India assures early maintenance of Jatinga-Silchar and Maibang-Jatinga roads

A Correspondent

Haflong: To discuss the poor condition of NH-154E (Package No. As-21 Jatinga-Silchar and As-22 Maibang-Jatinga), a joint meeting of district administration, NHAI and NC Hills Indigenous Student Forum was held in the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner of Haflong on Saturday.

Regarding As-22(Maibang-Jatinga), the NHAI said that the tender process had already been completed but the work could not be awarded due to the prevailing model code of conduct for the general election. The Deputy Commissioner assured that he would take up the matter with the State Government for special consideration.

In the meeting, the NC Hills Indigenous Student Forum raised the status of the assurance given by the Chief General Manager (Tech) Regional Office Guwahati to release Rs 23 crore for maintenance of Jatinga-Silchar roads way back in September 2017 during the joint site inspection. The NHAI informed that two estimates amounting to Rs. 49 crore and Rs. 20 crore respectively for the restoration of Package No. As- 21 (Jatinga-Silchar) had been sent to NHAI Delhi head office for approval. After the NHAI gave the details of the two proposals, the NCHISF demanded the NHAI to sanction the estimate of Rs 49 crore (full black topping) instead of Rs 20 crore.

It was decided in the meeting that NHAI would engage contractor for maintenance of the Jatinga-Silchar road with effect from April 14, 2019. The CGM also agreed to sanction Rs. 4 crore under his power for an emergency fund for immediate maintenance of AS-21. The Project Director, Haflong will immediately submit the necessary estimate amount for the release of the said amount.

The NHAI also assured that if any untoward incident happens in the future due to poor condition of the roads, the NHAI will be responsible.

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