ZEPADA holds thanksgiving ceremony
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, November 27 2020:
The Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) has today hosted thanksgiving ceremony for the commencement of road construction works at Guite Road (NH 102B) to the level of double-lane National Highway at the auditorium of Rayburn College.
The Guite Road has witnessed unparalleled protests and outcry for over a decade as it left the public frustrated for over 5 years due to lack of repair and maintenance.
The commencement of construction work along the said road under NHIDCL was a momentous event for people along the area as it took over 10 years for them to see the beginning of the realization of their dream road.
ZEPADA which is at the forefront of the campaign to have an all weathered road has today honoured (L) K Lala Valte, S/o V Liankhanthang who was reportedly killed in a road mishap in 2010 and gave him the title, Zogam Development Salpha (Martyrs) .
The agency also plans to set up a memorial in his honour.
The Tuivel Bridge which was in a dilapidated state was also repaired by the public.
With the road construction works currently progressing in full swing, ZEPADA thanked the Almighty for showering His blessing to the people even as it earnestly appealed one and all to cooperate with the workers.
It has at the same time expressed the need to ensure that specifications for the quality are maintained.
The Guite Road was first developed by the British during their reign and was improved to a jeepable road in the 1960s.Later in the 1990s, it was declared a State highway with MoD/BRTF/GREF taking up the construction works due to its strategic importance.
It was then maintained by the PWD, Manipur for about 10 years.
With mass protest erupting one after another over the lack of maintenance, the road was upgraded to NH-102B (Lamka-Singngat-Sinzawl-Tuivai-Myanmar Road) on Feb 22, 2012 .
In October 2020 a double lane with pave boulders works commenced based on a survey conducted by M/S CE Testing Pvt Ltd since 2018 .