Francis inspects Dzuko road, PMGSY works
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 21 2016: An official team led by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa today inspected the construction work of the road which would be connected to the picturesque Dzuko Valley.

The road would start from Emefithumei which is located 12 Kms away from Maram Centre and 15 Kms from Maram Khullen.

Construction work of the 18 Kms long road Emefithumei to Dzuko Valley started since 2014 as a PMGSY project under Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) .

After 12 Kms of the road was constructed, the project was suspended on account of objections raised by Southern Angami people of Nagaland and subsequent stand-off with some ethnic groups of Manipur.

Whereas Southern Angami people were contending that certain portions of the new road passes through their areas, Mao and Maram people were claiming that the entire length of the road passes within the territory of Manipur, said Maram Khullen Centre secretary Khubak Peter.

The ban on the road project was imposed after the matter was examined in a traditional court in accordance with Naga customs.

There was also an order that a fine of Rs five lakh would be imposed upon the side which defied its instruction.

The road project remained suspended on account of the land dispute.

The dispute is between Naga tribes and there was no intervention from the Government of Manipur or the Government of Nagaland.

After making a spot assessment of the road project, Francis Ngajokpa remarked that cutting of hill slopes for the road has been completed and vehicles can ply on the newly paved road but the project was suspended following objections.

Saying that the dispute cannot be resolved easily as the disputed area is categorised as traditional land rather than scheduled land, Francis Ngajokpa expressed apprehension that the project may end in failure on account of the disputes.

The department cannot assign any official or contractor for the project until the disputes are resolved.

There is also the risk of losing the fund sanctioned by the Centre for the project if the same cannot be completed within the stipulated period.

Nonetheless, local people gave a hint of their common desire for the State Government to complete the road project using all resources available at its disposal.

They believed that the road once completed would be a big asset for the State's tourism industry for it will enable people (tourists) to reach Dzuko Valley within hours which now takes almost one day.

Since the road construction work started, people of the area gave extra attention to agricultural practices so as to enhance their agricultural produces particularly potato, said one villager.

The road once completed can pave way for expansion of Mao potato farm which would give self-employment opportunities to unemployed youth thereby contributing to the State's economy, he added.

MSRRDA Chief Engineer N Bapuchand, SE Panthising Thanmei, Additional SE Th Shyamsunder, EE N Munal and other officials were members of the RD&PR Minister's entourage.

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