Road work comes under complete halt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 24 2023:
The more than four month old violent conflict has stopped construction work of the Imphal- Kangchup-Tamenglong road taken up under the funding of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) .
The 103 Km stretch of Imphal- Kangchup-Tameng-long is part of Imphal- Haflong road (200 Km) .
While the construction of the Imphal-Tamenglong via Kangchup road was taken up by the Public Works Department as an Externally Aided Project (EAP), the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited was handling the Tamenglong-Haplong stretch.
A source in the Public Works Department said all construction works on the Imphal-Tamenglong stopped after the May 3 violence.
Imphal to Waphong, a 34 Km stretch runs through many Kuki dominated areas, and a work camp at Kangchup Chiru and many machinery have been burnt down by miscreants after the May 3 violence, said the source.
Rs 30 crore worth of machinery of the work agency Hindustan Construction Company have been damaged and burnt.
Kuki miscreants have also looted many of the machinery and parts.
Almost all staff and engineers have left.
As the conflict has stopped the works, the project may not be completed by December 2023 as it was projected, said the source.
Notably, the project taken up with the funding of the ADB contains two major bridges-Iroishemba Bridge and Lamsang Bridge.
Construction work of the bridges has also been affected by the present crisis.
The bridges require earth foundation of 24 metres, but Kangchup Chiru, the place from where earth was taken for this, is no longer accessible due to the present crisis.
The type of earth needed for the foundation is rare and is found in Kangchup Chiru Maning.
Moreover, due to the present situation, workers are unable to get the chipped/crushed stones from the Kangchup Chiru camp.
Fresh mobilization and preparation to begin the construction works may take time, said the source.
On the other hand, the Imphal Ring Road project may start from next month, and a project to lay 525 Km concrete roads in the Greater Imphal area is also in the advanced stage.
The work may begin as soon as the Government of India gives its approval, said the source.