MoS wraps up his visit to Moreh

Union Minister of State (MOS) for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju wrapped up his maiden visit after a brief inspection of the Indo-Myanmar border town Moreh Manipuri’s Chandel district on Tuesday.

He came from Nagaland in a chopper and flew straight to Moreh where he inspected the border fencing work being taken up along the Indo-Myanmar border.

At Moreh, the Union MoS for Defence was received by Inspector General of Assam Rifles (south) IGAR (S) Maj Gen UK Gurung Brig Upendra Dwivedi, DC Chandel Th. Chitaranjan. Representatives of different communities and students of the border town were also present on the occasion.

Also, the minister crossed the Indo-Myanmar border bridge and inspected the condition of the bridge. While talking to mediaperson, Dr Raju said the road renovated by BRO from Moreh to Tamu was satisfactory.

Pallam also stated that he had discussed with BRO about upgrading several projects. He said the condition of NH-2 and the boprder fencing work would be reviewed after he reaches New Delhi.

After the inspection, the Union MoS for Defence convened a joint meeting with various district level officials before flying back to Imphal.

At Imphal, Dr Pallam met chief minister O Ibobi Singh at his bungalow for nearly 40 minutes. The Union minister also met Governor Gurbachan Jagat at Raj Bhavan.

After holding one night at Imphal, the Union minister also visited Tamenglong district and Jiribam sub-division for inspection of work being taken up by BRO on National High way 37(with regards to different road development projects, achieved by BRO) which links Imphal with Assam and others parts of India and inaugurate a road newly constructed by Assam Rifles in Tamenglong district.

He also visited Jiribam sub-division, Imphal East district to have a first hand account of the progress made so far on railway tracks being laid to connect Imphal with the rest of the country.

It may be mentioned that the progress of the work being undertaken by BRO along National Highway 37 (the second life line of Manipur) has been alleged to be very slow by truck owners, truck drivers, and various civil society organization. Letters and memorandums urging the Union Government to speed up the progress of the work along this highway before the rainy season have been submitted by various concerned parties.

Meanwhile, Information centre for Hill Areas, Manipur has apprised the Minister of the tardy progress of work on NH-37 executed by the BRO.

The Information Centre for Hill Areas President N Rajendra said the Centre has urged the minister not to rely on the alleged fallacious report of the BRO but to collect genuine report of the condition of NH-37 from the public. He also said no improvement of the road has been seen even though the BRO has been engaged in the upgradation work of the highway since several years back.

He left for New Delhi this afternoon.