Senapati-Phaibung road construction labourers face food shortage
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, August 17 2021: About 200 labourers including women and children who are engaged in the Senapati-Phaibung road construction and currently stationed at CPL labour camp, Ngamju village under Senapati are facing food shortage.

Speaking to Hills Hornbill Express, ex-ADC member 19-Lakhamai DCC, N Benjamin Tao informed that the labourers from different States of the country with nowhere to go during the COVID-19 pandemic after the suspension of road construction since March 2021 are suffering due to the lack of food and other essential items for the past 5 months.

In this regard, Benjamin Tao has written to the Chief Minister N Biren Singh in June and to Minister PWD, RD, Power and Panchayati Raj, I & PR, AR, Commerce and Industries, Thongam Biswajit Singh in July to intervene in the matter.

The letter stated that Senapati-Phaibung road (128.9km) to CL 9 specification was entrusted to BRO/25 BREF by DONER Ministry and the project was implemented under the NLCPR scheme with funding shares of 90% by the Central Government and 10% by the State Government.

The construction started in 2002 and even after 18 years, the work could not be completed due to non-release of funds.

It stated that Senapati-Phaibung road has been running for the past 18 years without any repairs other than minor repairs done by few ADC members in collaboration with the villagers till date.

The ex-ADC Member stated that Senapati-Phaibung road which begins from NH-2 at TNK Senapati village is the only road that connects southern Lepaona villages and Chilivai villages is one of the most neglected zone of eastern Senapati district, the border of Senapati-Ukhrul district along the Iril River.

Benjamin Tao further urged the concerned authority to intervene and speed up the construction work without further delay.

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