Ring Road hearing for IW district concludes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 26 2022: The last public hearing in respect of Imphal West district on land acquisition for the Imphal Ring Road proposed to be taken up by Manipur government was held on Thursday at Takyel Kolom Leikai community hall.

The public hearing was conducted by the directorate of environment and climate change to prepare social impact assessment report and for social impact management plan through consultation with people of Sangaiprou, Taobungkhok, Ghari and Lamjaotongba, who are to be affected by the project.

Joint director (environment and climate change) cum nodal officer Dr T Brajakumar, who took part in the public hearing, said that the meet was held to discuss with affected families and individuals about the project's benefits and how far it would benefit the public.

He said that social impact, assessment to determine how far the project will benefit and affect people has been continuing for the past six months and Thursday's public hearing was the last one for Imphal West district.

According to Dr T Brajakumar, the assessment is being done in two categories namely affected families and affected people and discussed lifestyles of not only land owners affected by the project but also those dependent on the land.

Those affected by the project must fill up form and submit the same for inclusion in data processing or else they will be considered as non-respondent, he said.

No one would be happy when the government takes over land but the project is to deliver good communication for the people and for future generation, he said and ap pealed to the affected land owners to discard individualist idea and provide valid reason if they do not want to give land for the project.

Dr T Brajakumar further said that the public hearing is being conducted to dis cuss about the project by dividing different categories and discussion will be held on alternative management of public pond, school and community hall to be affected by the project.

There might be an opportunity to develop new asset after removing the old ones, he said, adding that the ongoing assessment also include provision of providing rehabilitation if the affected land happens to be source of income for the affected person.

Altogether, 11 experts will minutely examine problems being faced by people and reports in this regard beginning from the first draft till final report will be published, he said, adding that land requisition will be done based on the report.

The last public hearing in respect of Imphal West district was also attended by professor E Bijay Singh, survey expert Md Abdul Salam and social activist BB Sharma.

Elected lead ers of the Sangaiprou, Tao bungkhok, Ghari and Lamjaotongba like pradhans and ZP members also attended the public hearing.

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