Evicted families of airport expansion face hardship in new locations
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 24 2011: Even as government has provided land for resettlement after they were evicted in the expansion of Tulihal airport, around 40 families resettled at Kodompokpi are facing hardships in getting basic amenities.

The 40 families evicted from their original residence at Kodompokpi Mayai Leikai were shifted to a khas land situated between Kodompokpi and Lairenjam.

When local MLA RK Anand paid a visit to the newly settled families today, they poured forth their grievances to the MLA.

According to them, the new place has no proper road connectivity apart from having no supply of safe drinking water, power supply, etc.

Even though 40 families of Kodompokpi Mayai Leikai affected by the airport expansion were given land at the government khas land at present only 10 families have shifted to the place.

As there is no road connectivity between Kodompokpi or Lairenjam to the new place, residents at the new settlement are using the earth embankments of the fish farms of other people as a footpath.

After taking stock of the situation of the newly settled families, MLA RK Anand announced a plan to construct a road on his own expense.

The making of the road to be paved with stone chips will be taken up soon, he said.

Further, he drew the attention of the PWD to address the plight of the people.

He assured the people that he would try his best to take up the pipe laying work of supply of safe drinking water from the nearest water supply scheme at Lairenjam in consultation with the PHED authority.

He added that the authority of the Electricity Department will be apprised to ensure reaching power supply line to the new place.

AE Damudor of PHED, sub-division no.III (Rural), Imphal West, who accompanied the MLA in the inspection tour, said that his department will take up all necessary work for supply of safe-drinking water in the area.

The pipe laying work will be initiated at the earliest, he said.

Mention may be made that the state government had developed lands at Kodompokpi and around the foothills of Langthabal Phura Makhong for rehabilitation of families affected by the expansion of Tulihal airport.

Government is planning to upgrade the airport to an international airport.

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