Peeved villagers stop BRTF men
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, October 08 2021:
Disgruntled villagers stopped BRTF officials from taking out road construction machinery and labourers engaged in construction of Senapati-Phaibung road before completing the project on October 6.According to sources, the BRTF officials were trying to take out their construction machinery and labourers despite requests from the villagers and Senapati Phaibung road development committee not to abandon the project before its completion.
However, the BRTF had gone ahead to move out from the site by using police force but were stopped by the villagers at Ngawar village.
The villagers have also apprised the district administration the reason for stopping BRTF officials from moving out.
In this regard, the Senapati-Phaibung Road Development Committee had written a letter to the commandant 25 BRTF on October 6 appealing the BRTF not to abandon project and had also informed that the villagers and the committee had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the authorities concerned to release the funds for the project and Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also given assurance of the same.
Ex-ADC 19-Lakhamai DCC Benjamin Tao had also written a letter to Chief Minister N Biren Singh in June 2021 and Works Minister Th Biswajit in July 21 to intervene in the issue of non-disbursal of funds for the project to ensure that the road construction work is completed at the earliest.
It is noteworthy to remember that the project for development of the 128.9 kms long stretch of Senapati-Phaibung road that starts from NH-2 at TNK Senapati village was given to BRO/25 BRTF by DoNER Ministry and the project was implemented under the the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme with 90% Central share and 10% borne by the State in 2002.Even after 18 years of the implementation of the project, it could not be completed because of non-disbursal of funds (State share) by the Government, said the committee.
This stretch of the road is the only road that connects southern Lepaona village and Chilivai village is one of the most neglected areas of Senapati district, said the Senapati-Phaibung Road Development Committee.