Cong takes swipe at BJP with Jiri road
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2021: Taking a swipe at the BJP led Government at the Centre, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) general secretary (Administration) Hareshwar Goswami has stated that the conditions of Imphal-Jiribam road is so deplorable today that a boat service can be launched on a portion of the highway stretch.

Addressing a virtual press briefing, the Congress leader claimed that Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, had in 2017, assured of upgrading the National Highway to the level of a plane strip.

Saying that a team of MPCC members visited certain areas under Tousem sub-division recently (June 23-27) to provide Covid relief materials, he added that they witnessed major portion of the road stretch in between Keithelmanbi and New Keiphundai in dilapidated conditions.

The condition of road stretches from Keithelmanbi to Noney, Irang to Khongshang and Khongshang to Nungba are also very poor, he said and added that worst of all is the stretch from Nungba to Barak.

If the road stretch that connects Nungba and Barak is not repaired at the earliest, it might be unmotorable in 'monsoon season', Goswami continued.

The Congress leader also claimed that construction of Barak Bridge will not be completed anytime soon and will take at least a year for completion.

Continuing that Congress also acknowledges the good work of the Government, Goswami maintained that construction of Makru Bridge is nearing completion and some portion of the Imphal-Jiribam road is in a good condition.

Contending that the majority of the process for 17 road projects taken up by the BJP including construction of Makru Bridge, Barak Bridge such as DPR preparation were completed in 2016 during the tenure of the previous SPF Government, he added that the projects were not implemented on time due to Assembly elections related restrictions.

The prevailing condition of the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway which is the lifeline of Manipur is contradictory to the assurance given by Prakash Javedkar in 2017, he added.

During the virtual press meet, PCC member from Tousem range, Dr Aku claimed that the ambitious Go to Hills Mission of the State has little to no meaning in various areas of Manipur such as in Tousem Sub-Division.

Saying that only one doctor and three nurses are currently deployed at Tousem PHC, he asked if the Government is not considering the Subdivision as a part of Manipur.

It is also very unfortunate that no Covid vaccination and testing programmes are being conducted properly at Tousem Sub-Division which is home to nearly 20-30 thousands people, he claimed that Tousem PHC and Nungba PHC are the only facilities available for conducting Covid vaccination or testing.

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