PWD, BRO accused of neglecting Tamenglong-Khongsang road
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, September 16 2015:
Public Works Department (PWD) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have been accused of neglecting the Tamenglong-Khongsang road.
A team including media persons led by Joint Forum for Transport Welfare Association Tamenglong (JFTWA) and Chairmen Association Tamenglong on Tuesday made an on the spot inspection of the Tamenglong-Khongsang road.
Currently, the 39.5 km stretch of Tamenglong-Khongsang road is in a deplorable condition and it has been neglected by both the State PWD and BRO, a reliable source informed this Correspondent.
Earlier, an ultimatum had also been served on the District Administration to execute repair works for two-lane within September 14.However, the ultimatum deadline has been deferred till September 19.Civil society organisations in the district have also warned that they will impose an indefinite bandh even along National Highway-37 if the authorities failed to take any tangible measures.
According to JFTWA, after black toping of Tamenglong- Khongsang road, the BRTF handed over the road to the State PWD on April 16, 2019.However, no maintenance has been done by PWD and PWD Tamenglong handed over the road back to BRTF on September 5 as demanded by the people.
The State PWD has many times attempted to take back the road and these attempts have made the BRTF "disown" the road and the general public is facing acute transportation problems due to the deplorable condition of the road, said a source.
JFTWA Secretary Joseph Daimai disclosed that a sum of Rs 1383.65 has been sanctioned for temporary restoration of Tamenglong-Khongsang road in 2014 by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India before the construction of the double lane.
"But no restoration has been made so far," he regretted.
Now Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been made and payment for land affected villages along Tamenglong-Khongsang has been completed.
However, the construction of double lane is yet to start the project till date.
Now, the 83 RCC under 765 BRTF/GRTF should immediately execute the National Highway Double Lane (NHDL) works, Joseph demanded.
He also reminded that several memorandums and ultimatums had been submitted demanding the early execution of NH- 137 Tamenglong-Khongsang road.
Several agitations including banning of NF Railway Project Works and high level talks were held with the Chief Secretary.
However, all assurances have not been translated into implementation, Joseph rued.
Even the District Administration and local MLA have not taken any action and have remained silent over the issue.
During the joint inspection, many vehicles including loaded trucks and passenger vehicles were found stranded due to the deplorable condition of the road.