SRL sets Sept deadline for rectification of PMGSY road
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 04 2021: With the botched roadway adding to the woes of the inhabitants during the monsoon every year, Sambu Raiping Long (SRL) has served an ultimatum for the state government to task the authorities/agencies concerned to commence rectification of the stretch from Chamu to Phungtha via Khayang village from September onward.

"If the government fails to ensure commencement of rectification of the flawed portions of the road within the current month, the local villagers would be compelled to launch a series of intense agitation," SRL president Lungshim Kasar said while briefing media persons during a press conference at Ikror Restaurant in Ukhrul town on Saturday.

The faulty stretch is a part of the 103 km long road from Shirui village to Kachoupung village constructed under Prime Minister's flagship programme Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Kasar contended that while the particular stretch from Chamu to Phungtha via Khayang village has been jumbled with improper alignment, the rest of the roadway is in a bad shape, making it un-motorable during rainy season.

"When the work first started years ago, villagers of the remote region had high hope on the road to end their hardships.

But because of the poor construction of the road, the locals are continuing to face the same problems, the worst transportation of the sick during rainy season," he pointed out.

He continued that execution of earth works of the stretch under Stage-I, has been done by different agencies/contractors.

However, due to faulty alignment and steep gradient, the road has only become a seasonal road.

According to Kasar, works (RD & PR) minister Thongam Biswajit Singh inspected the road in the presence of Ukhrul MLA Alfred Kanngam Arthur, DCs of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, DISHA members, officials of MSSRDA/Rural Engineering and local representatives on April 4 this year.

He said that during the visit, minister Bishwajit assured that the faulty alignment will be rectified at the earliest to meet the demand of the public.

As per the minister's assurance and directive, the locals cooperated with the agencies in finding a new diversion for the flawed portions and report of the same had been duly submitted, he said.

"But much to our shock and dismay, the minister's assurances have not been translated into action till date," Kasar lamented.

Attending the press conference, SPEC's LM Able convenor said that the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) held a meeting on September 20, 2019 at Hotel Imphal with MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze in the chair and resolved to inspect the work's executed under PMGSY.

Accordingly MLA Alfred Kanngam along with the deputy commissioner, Kamjong District, SDO/BDO of Sahamphung Block, Ukhrul and Kamjong, and the additional chief engineer of MSRDA conducted a joint inspection on December 3, 2019, he said.

Able recalled that another joint inspection was also conducted in February 2020 Ukhrul MLA along with Kamjong DC, SDOs/BDOs of Sahamphung, Chief Engineer, Additional Chief Engineer and three Engineers of MSRDA.

A thorough survey was conducted and GPS mapping for the same was done by the department.

Later, in November, 2020 .

Chairman, Hill Area Commit tee, and Phungyar MLA K.Leishiyo, also visited the areas.

During the visit, the public apprised him of the matter, he said.

"In spite of all these visits by the minister concerned and local MLAs and their assurances, nothing has been done from the government's side to improve the pathetic condition of the road till date," he rued.

The central scheme is implemented by the Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRDDA)/Rural Engineering Department (RED) in the state.

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