Gungal area of Saikul AC connected with rest of the world
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, October 06 2021: The long-awaited dream of people living in Gungal area of 46-Saikul AC was finally realised on Wednesday as the local MLA inaugurated the 150-feet-long Khaochangbung Bailey bridge connecting the area with the rest of the world after almost 100 years.

The Bailey bridge was constructed over the Gundung (Imphal) river under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana under package No MN06335 and the project funded by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The construction of the bridge commenced in December last year, with December 2,2021 set as deadline for completion of the project.

However, the bridge has been completed well ahead of the deadline, much to the delight of the people of the area.

Local MLA Yamthong Haokip unveiled the inaugural monolith and cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the bailey bridge and declared it open for public use before Lhoukhosat Kipgen, Pastor H Molvom dedicated the bridge.

Yamthong Haokip, while addressing the gathering, asked the people of Gungal area/Khaochangbung area to always stand united, adding "I am a man of work.

I don't talk much and I will show my commitment towards my people in action, not in talk".

He also said that Gungal/Khaochangbung area was a neglected zone and nothing had been done in the past many years.

The MLA then claimed that people of the area began to witness development and changes only after he was elected as a public representative in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the event, MLA Yamthong informed that Molvom in Gungal area is one of the oldest villages in Manipur.

It has almost completed 100 years of its establishment and the area itself is also as old as the village but no development could be witnessed in the past many years owing to the absence of road connectivity, which he made his top priority right after his election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He continued, "I have been doing in my maximum capacity to install the Bailey bridge and I am extremely happy to witness and accomplish the long-cherished dream of this area today as from now onward developments and changes will start in the area".

Sathaolen, chief of Khaochangbung, submitted a memorandum on behalf of the Gungal Area Chiefs' Association urging the local MLA to install a transformer of 63W and construct retaining wall at the abutment area of the bridge, to which the MLA responded, "I will answer you in action, not in talk".

People of the area, young and old alike, were visibly happy over the realisation of their long-cherished dream as some of them were seen sitting all day on the bridge.

The area chiefs praised the local MLA for giving them new hope in the form of a new bailey bridge while some even got emotional stating that "now we can walk on an iron bridge after walking on a bamboo-made bridge for such long years with a heavy heart, particularly during monsoon season".

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