Workshop on 'Road Connectivity of Hill Districts' commences
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 07, 2013: A 2-day long workshop on the theme of "Road Connectivity of Hill Districts" being organized by Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Manipur commenced from today at its auditorium located within Adim Jati Complex, Chingmeirong here with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the portfolio of Home, observed that during the time of kings and queens, the roads and bridges in Manipur were in their worst condition.

But still, there was good relationship among the people.

But now when the condition of roads and bridges has improved a lot, the love and good relation among the people seems to have lost.

So, what is more important today is not good road connectivity but good human relationship.

He further said that repairing of Old Cachar Road, which was earlier known as Tongjei Maril is now almost completed.

As soon as it is completed, the road will be officially named as Tongjei Maril Road again.

Delivering the Presidential speech, Francis Ngajokpa, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, stated that the concept of some sections of the society that the funds for the development of the hill has been siphoned off midway is completely false and baseless.

From the total amount of funds sanctioned by the Central Government under PMGSY for development of roads in the State, 80 percent of the funds are utilized in the hills and the remaining 20 percent in the plains.

Though a huge amount is sanctioned by the Central Government, a large portion of the fund goes unutilized due to various disturbances, the Minister noted.

He further stated that a tender for construction of road under the 8th phase of PMGSY at an estimated cost of Rs 199 crores had been floated in November 2012.But even after the passage of 11 months, the work has not been started due to various disturbances.

The disturbances are not made by the people of the plains.

If at all development has to be brought about in the hills, then the people in the hills should give all cooperation.

It would not be wise to blame the plain people for the slow progress of development works in the hills, he observed.

Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, who was also present as Guest of Honour of the inaugural function of the workshop, pointed out that the most of the works taken up by the Works Department pays special emphasis in the hills as the number of roads and the lengths of the roads in the hills are much more than that of the plains.

He also reiterated that an amount of Rs 1800 crores had been sanctioned as loan by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for constructing new roads in the hill areas of Manipur.

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