Tupul-Bishnupur road breadth likely to be diminished
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 21 2014:
The proposed 50 Kms long road from Tupul to Bishnupur which would be constructed with investment from the Asian Development Bank may not be as broad as its specifications.
As per the specifications, the road would be 5.5 metres broad but the total breadth of land required for the road is 7.25 metres after adding 1 m for drain and 0.75 m for road shoulder, informed an official source.
In the process of obtaining the requisite land, certain controversies erupted between on the stretch Tupul and Thangal.
Some villages have been demanding compensation on the ground that their lands are affected by the proposed road.
Guidelines of the project says that land owners (Pattadars) and standing properties may be compensated.
As for land owners who do not possess patta, they may be given compensation for their standing properties.
But many villagers, in spite of not possessing patta, have been exerting strong pressure on the authorities demanding compensation thereby posing a serious deterrent to the road construction project.
Earlier it was estimated that around eight villages should be given compensation but now the number of villages demanding compensation has increased manifold.
As these controversies and disputes cannot be resolved, it is being considered to keep the breadth of the proposed road to the existing breadth of 4.75 metres between Tupul and Thangal.
The existing road of breadth 4.75 metres was constructed as approach road for the Loktak Down Stream Project.
Although the breadth of the existing road is far below the project specifications, a proposal would be submitted to the Government on constructing the road without acquiring additional land.
Apart from Tupul-Bishnupur road, ADB is investing in another road construction project between Thoubal and Kasom Khullen via Yairipok.
Construction work of the Thoubal-Kasom Khullen road has already started.