IMPHAL, April 21: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has raised alarm over significantly reduced cost estimates for the construction of rigid pavement cement concrete roads in four of the state’s hill districts—Jiribam, Senapati, Kamjong, and Ukhrul—which share borders with Myanmar, Assam, and Nagaland.
In a post on his official X handle, Biren Singh criticized current road construction practices, accusing contractors of quoting abnormally low rates that could undermine the quality and longevity of infrastructure in these sensitive and strategically important regions.
Singh, who is also a senior leader in the Manipur Pradesh BJP, warned that such underquoting compromises the long-term development prospects of these border districts. “Time and again, we’re reminded that only a few truly work with sincerity for the overall good of the state,” he wrote. “And once again, it’ll spark the familiar criticism—better work in the valley, substandard in the hills.”
Citing concrete figures, Singh pointed out that contractors in the hill districts are quoting prices well below departmental estimates. He explained that if the estimated cost for a cement concrete road is Rs 100, contractors are taking up the work for as low as Rs 64–68, casting doubt on the feasibility of maintaining acceptable construction quality.
According to data shared by Singh, the cost reductions in each district are as follows:
- Jiribam: 32% below the scheduled rate
- Senapati: 33% below
- Kamjong: 32.56% below
- Ukhrul: 36.48% below
“At this rate, we’re not just cutting costs,” Singh stated. “We’re compromising the future of infrastructure in these regions.”
