No development works in last 20 years: Leishiyo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2019: MLA K Leishiyo has asserted that no development works were undertaken in Phungyar AC during the last 20 years.

Notably, K Leishiyo currently represents Phungyar AC in the State Assembly.

The MLA visited different areas of his Assembly segment yesterday.

After reaching Kasom Khullen from Imphal, the MLA, travelling along highly deplorable roads, visited Nambasi, Kachumram village and Kamkung village adjoining the Indo-Myanmar border .

He also interacted with villagers at different places.

The MLA talked about power supply, potable water, health care facilities, educational infrastructure and road infrastructure.

Later speaking to media persons, Leishiyo said that Phungyar AC is a very big in terms of area which extends up to the Indo Myanmar border.

No development works in last 20 years: Leishiyo<

It also borders Andro AC, Heirok AC, Lamlai AC and Ukhrul AC.

Phungyar AC covers 2400 square Kms and there are 146 schools within the AC.

The total population of Phungyar AC is around 60,000.Leishiyo claimed that Phungyar AC is bigger than the combined area covered by the 40 Assembly segments of the valley.

However, local area development fund entitled to Phungyar AC is just Rs two crore which is also entitled to Singjamei AC, the smallest Assembly segment of the State, Leishiyo said.

Black-topping a road in Phungyar AC requires Rs one crore for every one Km.

If two Kms are black-topped in a year, there is no money left from the MLA Local Area Development Fund for taking up any other development work.

The MLA confided that he could not do anything when funds sanctioned by the Central Government are divided among the Assembly segments equally.

He then asserted that MLA Local Area Development Fund ought to be distributed based on topography.

Phungyar AC shares the longest section of Manipur-Myanmar border but it would take quite a lot of time if the people of Phungyar AC must travel to the border town of Moreh along the Imphal-Moreh highway.

As such, both the Chief Minister and the Works Minister have been actively lobbying with the Central Government to construct a new road from Kamjong to Moreh via Huimin Thana, he said while exuding confidence that the Centre would certainly approve the proposal.

The proposed road, if constructed, would facilitate movement of people as well as trade and commercial activities, he said.

The proposed road would help in checking cross-border smuggling of illegal goods.

At present, one needs to travel 300 Kms if one must go to Moreh from Kamjong.

But if the proposed road is constructed, the distance would be reduced to just 60 Kms, Leishiyo said.

Although there is no road on the Indian side, there is a road (Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road) on the Myanmar side just across Huimin Thana.

India has constructed a road in Myanmar but no such road has been constructed within India.

India has been constructing road for foreign citizens while neglecting its own citizens under its foreign policy to forge closer ties with the neighbouring country.

If the plight of Indian citizens settled in the border area is taken into account, the Government of India would certainly approve the proposed road, Leishiyo said.

Sangshak-Tengnoupal road (NH 102) has been included in the work programme of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Work order has been issued for black-topping Kashung Bungtung junction to Kamkung road of which earth had been completed under phase I of PMGSY.

The black-topping work of the 5 Kms long road would start soon, said the MLA.

Tender process for black-topping the 15 Kms long Phungchong-K Ashangkhul road has also been completed.

The road, once black-topped would be a very convenient means of transport for the people of Kangkum, Kangkum Thana, Phungchong, Makan, K Ashangkhullen, Wangli and Namli.

Saying that stringing of electric wires has started so as to bring power supply to the border villages for the first time, Leishiyo reiterated that no development work worth its name were taken up in Phungyar AC during the last 20 years.