Imphal, December 31: Chief Minister O Ibobi today personally inspected the work progress of the ongoing Imphal Sewerage Project and besides walking through the bazar areas to get a first hand experience of trudging along the dismembered and dug up roads, announced that the Government would soon pull down all the high rise buildings (more than triple storey) in the commercial areas and asked the owners to do the needful before the Government acts.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by PHED Minister TN Haokip, Works Minister K Ranjit, IFCD Minister N Biren and PDA Chairman Dr Th Lokeshore during his inspection tour.
Later speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that the high rise buildings in the commercial areas of Imphal were built without the permission of the Government or the Imphal Municipal Council and hence they are illegal structures.
The Chief Minister explained that according to the by laws of the Imphal Municipal Council, no building in the commercial areas can exceed three storeys.
Sounding a stern warning, the Chief Minister 'advised' the owners of such buildings to pull down their excess floors before the Government acts.
Clearly peeved at the manner in which the laws have been violated, the Chief Minister said, "If any of these buildings collapse, then the blame will be put on the Government".
Though the Chief Minister admitted that the work progress of the Imphal Sewerage Project at the bazar areas is not 100 pc satisfactory, he nevertheless struck a confident pose and claimed that the process of laying the pipes will be over between January 10 and 15 next year.
Once the process of laying the pipes is over, then the road repairing works will be taken up, he assured.
Announcing some development plans of the Government, the Chief Minister said that the road leading from Wahengbam Leikai to Keishampat and from Keishampat to Heirangoithong and from Wahengbam Leikai to Tera bazar will be four laned.
To make up for the lack of parking slot in the bazar areas, the Chief Minister said that the time has come to build multi-storey shopping malls at the campuses of the Imphal Municipality Council, MSRTC and at Keishampat, which will not only have shopping centres, but will also provide parking space for 2000 vehicles.
The Chief Minister also asked the SP of Imphal West Clay Khongsai on the process of allowing some four wheelers to enter the bazar areas.
The police officer explained that all the vehicles entering the bazar areas are thoroughly checked and added that shop owners are issued passes.
The Sp also suggested that if the ground floors of the shops located in the bazar areas are converted to parking lots, it would ease the traffic congestion to a great extent.
Answering questions from the reporters, the Chief Minister admitted that 2007 was not exactly a peaceful year and expressed hope that the dawn of the new year will bring some peace.
The Chief Minister also reminded that the SPF Government will finish its first year of the second term on March 7 and added that the development plans of the Government will be announced then.
On the other hand, Works Minister K Ranjit admitted that the work to be taken up the Uripok-Kangchup road at the estimated cost of Rs 10 lakhs has run into trouble following interference from underground organisations.
He appealed to the people to extend their co-operation to the Government to help it carry out development works.
Speaking to newsmen today evening, the Works Minister said that one labourer hired for the work was abducted recently by underground cadres and added that this has spread fear psychosis amongst the workers.
The Works Minister also announced that the pot holes on the Uripok-Kangchup route will be filled up within a week and added that the route will then be incorporated in the work programme.
If the work quality is compromised in any manner, then the contractor concerned will be pulled up, said the Minister and urged the people to report to him if anything is amiss.
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