Tamenglong-Tousem road lies in neglect for 30 yrs
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Universal News Agency

Imphal, July 28 2012: For the last three decades Public Works Department (PWD) of Government of Manipur has failed to maintain 95 km long road from Tamenglong-Tousem via Haflong, Assam, Chairman of Development Committee, Tousem Block-52 Tamei A/C Dikham Gonmei has alleged.

According to the Chairman, under the funding of North Eastern Council (NEC), the Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong Road (95 Kms) was included in the sixth five year plan and was executed during 1980-1993 by PWD.

But the PWD failed to complete the work despite taking up construction work for long 13 years and finally handed over to BRO in 1994 during the stint of President's rule in Manipur.

Completion of the work has remained pending following controversies over alignment and sub-standard nature of executing the work.

After Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) resorted to intense agitation demanding immediate resumption of the work by BRTF, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on April 1, 1997. But the work could not be carry out in full-swing due to controversial funding.

Therefore, BRO dropped the work on July 7, 2000 when the advisor (Transport and Communication) NEC issued an order to the Director General of Border Road Organization to stop construction work on Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road, Dikham recalled.

Subsequently, a special Development Seminar was held from November 10 to 11 at Tamenglong Head Quarters with officials of MHA and Government of Manipur.

During that seminar a sum of Rs.42.71 crores was earmarked for this project and WAPCOS was engaged by NEC to survey and analyze the Proposed Alignment of BRTF.

It was done during January/February 2001.The report of its finding and recommendations were submitted to NEC for allowing the BRO to go ahead with the work.

But the Government is reluctant over the term imposed by NEC, the Chairman lamented.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Development Committee Tousem block Haimasuang informed that various memorandums, representations/ultimatums have been submitted to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Ministers of Disinvestment in NEI and Minister of DoNERs, etc to exert pressure for early execution of the work.

In addition to this, Independence day celebration on August 15, 2002 was boycotted and black badges were worn at the occasion of 53rd Indian Republic Day celebration in 2003 .

However, contrary to the interest of the public, the government of Manipur has taken back the work from BRO-BRTF and the revised estimated sanctioned order from NEC for resumption of the balance work.

Consequently, NEC released Rs.2 crore on January 6.But the condition of the road remains the same without making sign of improvement and progress.

The Secretary recalled that during the visit of PR Kyndiah , Union Tribal Welfare Minister, to Tamenglong Hqtr on 3rd October 2006, he had openly declared to take up the work for improvement of Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road.

Union Minister of Home Affair P.Chidambaram also visited Tousem Sub Division on 3rd November 2011 and gave the same assurance.

But no improvement on the road has ben seen.

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