Bandh threatened
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2017: Peace and Development Coordination Committee, Khundrakpam and the people of neighbouring Saikul have threatened to impose a total bandh along the Imphal-Saikul road from December 16 if the State Government and the Department concerned fail to take up necessary road construction works by December 15 .

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, the secretary of the coordination committee, Thoudam Hemjit said that Imphal-Saikul road can be considered one of the most important roads in the State and it has been neglected since the time of the previous Government .

The road has also been neglected by the new State Government despite the assurance given by Chief Minister N Biren Singh during a meeting on Meeyam Gi Numit, he said .

He further pointed out that the condition of the road is worsening day by day due to the lack of maintenance as well as heavy traffic including heavy vehicles engaged in the construction works of Dolaithabi barrage along the road and added that the road is an important lifeline for the people , specially those of Khundrakpam and Saikul A/Cs .

People who are staying in interior parts of the constituencies have been facing serious hardships , particularly when the people need to go to Imphal for medical treatments.

The people of the ACs have even resorted to repairing some parts of the road from their own money .

Hemjit narrated that the previous State Government had issued a work order to some contractors for the construction of the road and the road was black topped on May 24, last year.

However, no follow up works or maintenance have been taken up and the issue was brought to the Chief Minister's notice and the CM as well as the PWD Chief Engineer had assured to take up construction works soon after the rainy season, he added .

Even though the rainy season is over, not a single construction work has been taken up and the road remains neglected till date.

Appealing the State Government to cancel the work order allotted to the agencies as no work has been executed for the past one and a half years, Hemjit pointed out that the culverts along the road are also in very bad conditions and if they are damaged, the people of Khundrakpam and Saikul will be cut off from the rest of the State .

Hemjit also explained that the alternative Sawombung -Saikul road is also full of potholes and appealed to the State Government to take up necessary works regarding the two roads by December 15 .

If the State Government and the Department concerned fail to provide a proper response by the said date, the committee along with the people, will impose total bandh along the road from December 16, he threatened.

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