Crippled by lack of proper connectivity, people of Sabughat and Boroikhal still travel using boats
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 01 2019:
Even though Jiri river was the only way for the forefathers of Sabughat and Boroikhal villagers to reach other places and conduct business, the present generation are still utilising the same waterway for trade and other business, making the villagers question when the State Government is going to render proper transportation facilities for them.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, one A Rabon (55) of Babukhal (Chingjoibung) said that Babukhal village, under Jiribam district, is located 222 Kms away from Imphal and the villagers travel using boats.
There are approximately 30 houses in the village wherein five to seven person live in a house, he said, adding that the villagers engage in cultivation of betel leaves, areca nuts, coconuts and vegetables for their livelihood.
The only Government school in Babukhal is not even functioning properly, he said adding that there are no staff available although a PHED office is being set up there and no health facility is present as well.
He claimed that the lack of proper transportation facilities has prevented the Government staff from coming to the village.
Meanwhile, one Konthoujam Moni of Sabughat, which is reached after travelling five Kms on the waterway from Babukhal, said that the forefather used the waterway as it was the only facility in those time.
Sabughat is also eight Kms away from the docking point also known as Motok Khan village BRTF workshop.
She maintained that travelling on a boat consumes time and added that bad weather always pose a great threat to those travelling on the water.
There are 14 houses in the village and the locals plant bamboo trees, apart from betel leaf, areca etc.
Jiri river is also used to conduct bamboo trade and business at Silchar and Assam as the roadway is in poor condition, she claimed.
She told The Sangai Express that the Govt school in Sabughat village and the PHED are not functioning effectively while the staff and school faculty are absent owing to the lack of proper transportation facility.
She lamented that the lives of the villagers would be improved if the State Government takes prompt action and render necessary transportation facilities.
On the other hand, one Ng Gopeshor of Boroikhal village (which is located five Kms from Sabughat village) while taking to The Sangai Express said that there are 19 houses in the village and they engage in the same kind of agriculture including betel leaf, coconut, bamboo etc.
According to him, the situation of Government school, Govt institutions is more or less the same as other villages.
He opined that the livelihood of villagers will definitely improve by conducting different business, as the soil is fertile in Boroikhal village, if there were better transportation facilities in the village.
Speaking to The Sangai Express on rendering solar home lighting system at Sabughat and Boroikhal, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) president Konthoujam Joychandra said that IPSA Head office, Jiribam branch and Directorate of MANIREDA dedicated solar home lighting system to each and every houses of Sabughat and Boroikhal villages.