Preferring the shorter route

Pr Ngaomei *

Almost every passenger or commuter is a tourist as they flashed out their slick camera gadgets to click the views of the new territory laid opened and offered by the newly traversed road.

Small children waved gaily as taxis and other light vehicles sped passed the dusty road dragging cloud of dust along its trail as it flew along the narrow road while grown ups scurried to higher grounds or any enclosures nearby trying to avoid the storm of fuming dust flowing after the passing vehicles.

Despite the suffocating dust which deposited layers of thick dust everywhere by the road, commercial or business activities are warming up, some villagers are encouraged to set up small stalls and sell fruits and vegetables by the side of the road with seemingly bigger dreams still on the pipeline.

More than a month now, for the villagers residing along Raengkhung to Tamenglong via Matung, Puching, Duiga and Pumtiang villages, the sight of taxis and other vehicles plying along the road passing through their villages is a dream come true though it has been long overdue.

People are happy that their dream of seeing this road as a better and shorter alternative has finally materialized. Needless to say, this road has enabled us to conveniently commute between Imphal and Tamenglong within a day even after conducting our normal daily businesses. This road is a boon as it saved time and energy. It has already triggered and raised the hopes and dreams of many.

It may be recalled that Raengkhung to Tamenglong via Matung and Phalong/Bhalok-3 Road was constructed in the early 90s during the tenure of Daisin Pamei as the honorable Minister of Works but the present deviation from Matung passing through Puching (Khebuching) and Duiga (Phalong/Bhalok-2) which is considered a better option was constructed under Employment Assurance Scheme during the tenure of Samuel Jendai as Minister of Tribal Development during the later part of the 90s.

The recent effort to improve some portion from the IT Road Junction to Raengkhung which enable taxis and other light motor vehicles to pass through the ends of both point is laudable. But the road is still lacking in many ways.

A nagging worry continuously dogged our mind because going by the records of our State in maintaining its road, it is feared that after the spell of this dry season, most vehicles will abandon this road as it is still in its primal stage though it has been an existent road since many years. It is very narrow and yet to be metalled.

There are still many safety issues that need to be taken care of. Prominent risk to safety among others are the narrow lane and countless blind corners. Besides, it will be unkind not to consider the hazards to the health of the villagers exposed to excessive dust and fine particles caused and emitted by the vehicles.

Though the road is yet to be opened officially, it is not for nothing that the number of traffic are rapidly increasing with each passing day. However, it is imperative that the above points should be noted and address at the earliest before any irreversible mishaps or hazards occur. As of now, no state or district department is practically parenting the road though the district PWD said that it is under its ambit.

Inspite of all these, it is hoped that considering the importance of this route, it will not be left neglected for long. Let the smile brought by this road continue to linger on the faces of the people. And I prayed that by this time of the next year, we won’t be bothered by another looming prospect of a dusty festive season.

Thank you for your valuable time dear readers.