The cry of Tongjil Maril
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 30 2012 -

Non-adherence to prescribed work quality and failure of regular maintenance becoming the hallmark of any developmental work taken up in Manipur, there is nothing new in the complaint over deplorable condition of roads.

But the outcry of villagers settling along the historic Tongjil Maril definitely deserves at least some 'listening' from the side of the State Government.

Apart from being a lifeline of thousands of people settling along this 185 km-long route, also known as Old Cachar Road and has been subsequently converted into National Highway 150-A, the historical importance of the road and its possible viability as an alternative to the other two 'perennially disturbed' National Highways connecting Manipur with rest of the world should not be overlooked.

After all, prior to development of the two National Highways, Imphal-Dimapur Road and Imphal-Jiribam, Tongjei Maril, which passes through three districts of three districts of the State, used to be the only main link road for the people of Manipur.

Considering the fact that even Manipuri kings and queens, princes and princess, noblemen and traders alike have trodden along this route, Tongjil Maril surely deserves preservation through regular maintenance.

Moreover, promotion of this road would help in rekindling the flagging relationship among the various ethnic groups of people living in Manipur since time immemorial.

Unfortunately, long years of neglect over the worsening condition of such a historically important road has raised the hackles of local residents who have announced their decision of blocking the road from December 9 if the State Government continued to remain indifferent to their demand for improving the condition of the road.

Here, we would like to know what has happened to the Rs 84 crores sanctioned by North-Eastern Council (NEC) for development the road.

At the time of inaugurating the Nongleiband Bridge over Leimatak River under Nungba sub-division in Tamenglong district in December 2011, the then Works Minister K Ranjit assured that the State Government was really keen to develop Tongjei Maril, which had once served as the major lifeline of the people.

However, nearly two years down the line, we have not seen any possible sign to convince the people that the amount sanctioned by NEC had been utilized on improving the condition of the road.

In fact, after the black-topping which was carried out way back in 1986, there has been no further maintenance along the over two-centuries old road, thus resulting in its present pathetic condition, which has angered the local residents.

To talk of unity among the people at every possible public platform is very well, but to bring about that unity, the Government should live up to its promises and not try to test the memory of the people.