Road inaugurated for public use
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 17 2013:
Completing the construction without any assistance from the Govt, the Chandel to Thongjao road, allegedly neglected by the Government for long, was inaugurated for public use today in a function held today at Phailoi Lamshu village in Chandel district.
The glittering function organised by the Chothe Chiefs' Association and Chothe Lim Abom Manipur (CLAM), was graced by Retd MCS Officer Hopeson Thao Chothe and president of CLAM, Th Malsawm Thao as the chief guest and president respectively.
The guests of honour were adviser of Chothe Chiefs' Association, R Marim; president of CCA Th Jashei Chothe, VP of CCA Perhoi Chothe, secretary Kh Alexander Chothe and finance secy RK Thaninchao Chothe.
16 Chothe village chiefs, Pastors and villagers of various Chothe villages also attended the programme today.
CLAM President Th Malsawm Thao said, the road, locally christened 'Chothe Azou-Lam could be inaugurated for public use due to the concerted efforts of the Chothe community for the last twenty years.
The 16km long road stretches from Old Wangparal in Chandel district till Waikhong-Sugnu road in Thoubal district.
He lamented that the Government has neglected the road which is a lifeline for people of the Western area.
The road also connects 16 Chothe villages including Purum Khullen, Purum Tampak, Lainingkhul, Bethel, Chothe Khunou, Purum Chumbang, Lunghou, Old Wangparal, Leirenthabi, Salengthar, Khongkhang, Lungleho, Chandrapoto, Ziontlang, New Wangparal and Chandonpokpi.
Malsawm recalled that an amount to the tune of Rs 38 lakh was sanctioned sometime back in 1996-97 for the construction of the road under a scheme then known as BMS.
However, after constructing a short stretch, the construction was abandoned though the contractor concerned had withdrawn the final bill in cahoot with the concerned officials.
Again in 2010-11, a fund was withdrawn for the construction of the road under SPA scheme.
But it was not clear to the people still who was the contractor/sub-contractors.
Unable to withstand all those alleged unfair business, the road construction was initiated by the Chothe Chiefs' Association keeping in mind the significance of the road to the people of the area, malsawm said.