Sluggish Chamu-Kachou phung road job peeves villagers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 09 2023:
Even after the joint inspection carried out by RD & PR minister Yumnam Khemchand and Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, there has been no progress in the construction of the PMGSY road from Chamu to Kachouphung in Ukhrul district, consequently infuriating villagers settling along the route.
The 30km stretch from Chamu to Kachouphung is a part of the 103km long Sirui Kachouphung PMGSY road package and construction of the road was inspected by Khemchand and Ram Muivah in September, 2022.During the inspection, minister Khemchand instructed the contractor concerned to maintain work quality and do geo-tagging from time to time.
The minister even warned of withholding bill if failed to maintain quality.
It is learnt that a contractor named Lungsat Kipgen was assigned the task for construction of the Chamu-Kachouphung road under PMGSY Package No MN 9202 .
Of the total sanctioned amount for the package (Rs 1,690.93 lakh), Rs 550.15 lakh had already been released.
However, villagers settling along the road said that the road development work which began from October, 2000 remains incomplete till date though around 55 percent had be completed.
Villagers of Chamu, Phutngtha, Khayang and Kachouphung said that many portions along the road are yet to see laying of GSB an d WBM while there is no clue on whe n construction of three bailey bridges, incorporated under the same project, would be implemented.
The project was supposed to be completed by April 4, 2022 but there is no sign of resuming works for the remaining portions and this indeed is in total contrast to the villagers' hope of having a good quality road, they said.
According to the villagers, they were expecting completion of the road by Christmas or New Year when minister Khemchand and MLA Ram Muivah inspected the road in September, 2022 but it turns out to be contradictory.
With no sign of resuming works on the remaining portions, no one from the department came to inspect the road now, they said, and urged authority concerned to look into the matter and complete the road construction work at the earliest.
There are many tourist attraction sites along Sirui-Kachouphung road and notable sites include waterfall at Khayang and the Kachouphung lake and many serene forests.
Kha-yaphung hill is also the highest in Ukhrul district and there is snowfall at the hilltop during winter season.
However, there is no proper road to reach Khayaphung hilltop.