KSDC's bandh derails road work
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 19 2012:
The indefinite bandh being imposed by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) has completely derailed the repairing work of Mao-Moreh highway which was carried out on a war-footing ahead of the scheduled ASEAN-India car rally.
As per the schedule, the car rally which would be flagged off from Kalewa, Myanmar at 6 am of December 15 would reach Moreh at 8 am of the same day.
After having breakfast at Moreh, participants of the rally would proceed towards Imphal.
The participants would be received with a short function at Imphal where they would also have their lunch.
The rally team would leave Imphal in the afternoon of December 15 .
In view of the car rally, PWD was working hard to repair all the worn out portions between Moreh Gate No 1 to Mao.
Contractors were repairing the highway on a war-footing after dividing it into different sections namely Mao-Maram, Maram-Senapati, Senapati-Changoubung, Changoubung-Motbung, Motbung-North AOC, Pallel-Sinam, Sinam-Tengnoupal, Tengnoupal-Khongkham and Khongkham-Moreh, said a PWD official.
Both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have shown great interest in the Indo-ASEAN car rally, and the Centre has been closely monitoring the highway repairing work.
The two Ministries have been seeking work progress reports together with photographs regularly.
However, in spite of the Government of India's concern to complete the highway repairing work ahead of the car rally, the ongoing bandh has been causing serious impedance in material mobilisation.
On the other hand, a press release issued by PWD Addl Chief Engineer-II Kh Tomba appealed to the KSDC to relax the bandh for transportation and movement of materials, labourers and machinery.