Veikhang villages draw Govt's attention to dilapidated road
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, September 26 2020: People of Veikhang area in Ukhrul district have demanded immediate restoration of the abandoned PMGSY road that connects Choithar village and Nungshong Lamkhai.

In the same line, the Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong (VAs and Headmen Association) has urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to redress their grievances and act on their demand to restore the PMGSY road and ease the hardships endured by the people for many years.

A banner of their appeal written with the words "Birenji please expedite the work of PMGSY road construction of Veikhang area and other demands " was erected by the side of the abandoned PMGSY road to be read by all visitors, so that it reaches the ears of the Chief Minister.

Veikhang villages draw Govt's attention to dilapidated road

Briefing media persons, president of Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong said that hill cutting for construction of PMGSY road was initiated in 2006, which was implemented by MSRRDA but the road was sub standard and broke down in no time.

The PMGSY road from Choithar village to Nungshong Lamkhai covering a distance of 17.5 kms connects five villages from Choithar to Nungshong Lamkhai via Khangkhui Khunou, Khangkhui Khullen, Nungshong Khunou and Nungshong Khullen and theCdistrict headquarters Ukhrul.

With no drainage, culvert, protection wall besides being narrow and without any maintenance and repairing, the road broke down in no time leaving the villagers with no motorable road for years.

It has been more than 14 years, that the people of the area have been demanding an all weather road but there has been no result, said the president.

The secretary of Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong AS Shimreingam stated that apart from negligence of the contractor concerned, the State Government has failed to understand the plight of the marginalised people.

This is a disgrace, he added.

According to him, though Khangkhui village is just 14 kms away from Ukhrul town, the taxi hiring charge is Rs 2000 during dry season while in rainy season the rate goes upto Rs 4000 .

So bad is the condition of the road that it takes 2/3 hours to cover the 14 km journey during the rainy season, he added.

Shimreingam recalled that in the past villagers had to even carry sick persons to the nearest taxi stand at Choithar village on foot during rainy season.

He added that any visitor willing to go or visit the famed stone cave "Khangkhui Mangsor" has to travel on this PMGSY road, which is in a deplorable state.

The PMGSY road needs to be developed as an all weather road, he said and added that only then can tourist can visit the place throughout the years.

Staff of the PHC at Khangkhui village highlighted the problem of staff shortage, lack of technicians, equipments, infrastructure etc.

Later, representatives of Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong also inspected the proposed site for construction of an Edu-tourism centre at Ngaiva Ngaivah situated at the hill peak of Choithar village.

Ngaiva Ngaivah is a common mountain peak of five villages, and it is here that the villagers usually come together and organise a common programme to strengthen the inter-relationship of Veikhang area villages.

Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong urged the CM for his immediate intervention and demanded blacktopping of the PMGSY road from Choithar to Nungshong Lamkhai and improve the PHC with better medical facilities.

The Veikhang Hanga Wungnaolong cautioned that if their appeal is not heeded they would be constrained to launch different forms of democratic agitation.