Works Minister visits airport affected villages
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2012: Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar today paid a visit to villages affected by expansion of Tulihal Airport.

Talking to accompanying media persons, Dr Ratankumar said that he was visiting the affected villages at the advice of the Chief Minister.

As part of a grand initiative to upgrade Tulihal Airport to international standard, a process of expansion and upgradation was started at the airport since 2008 .

Compensation for both land and houses affected by airport expansion have been paid for most of the affected families.

As for those families who require resettlement, due compensation would be paid after the resettlement process is completed.

For this, there is no dearth of fund, stated the Works Minister.

For around 100 families of Ningombam, land development work has been already initiated at Langthabal Phuramakhong at the foot of Heibok hills for their resettlement.

One primary agenda of the Minister's field visit was to inspect the ongoing hill cutting work and approach road development work.

Other requirements of the new village such as electricity, potable water and transport would be taken care of in consultation with the Chief Minister, he stated.

He also assured that maximum efforts would be put in to finish the work of making approach road before the onset of rainy season.

Pointing out that compound fencing for the enlarged airport has already begun, the Works Minister informed that Settlement officials today measured many areas of Ningombam, Malom Tulihal, Malom Tuliyaima, Meitram and Kodompokpi which would be affected by the fencing work and need resettlement.

As for the Meitram football ground which would go inside the airport compound once the fencing work is completed, it is up to the airport authority to leave the ground untouched in public interest or take it over completely.

Many streets and by-lanes of these villages would also be affected by the fencing work.

Hence, new roads are being made.

The Works Minister pledged that all these works would be executed in war-footing.

MLA RK Anand who was also present during the inspection visit said that they were visiting the affected villages to facilitate re-measurement of the areas which need resettlement.

The inspection team also included officials of Electricity Department, PHED, Transport Department, Settlement Department, PWD, Imphal West DC and SDO Wangoi.

The Minister and the MLA interacted with some affected people of Ningombam during which the Minister re-assured that all due compensation would be paid very soon.

They also listened attentively to all the grievances narrated by people of Malom Tulihal and Malom Tuliyaima.

Later, the Works Minister and his team inspected the roads of Thangal Bazar, RIMS Road as well as the bridges built across Nambul river.

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