Complete works of PMGSY stage-I first, before proceeding to stage-II: Organisations
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, December 11 2018: The 'unfinished' PMGSY stage I construction of road from Shirui to Kachouphung via Sahamphung block headquarter and Kamjong to Maokot via Chatric village has irked the Sambu villages.

Despite the demand of the Sambu area villages to improve the said PMGSY road at different portions, the works are far from completion, said Sambu Raiping Long (SRL) and Sambu Raiping Katamnao Long (student body) of Sambu villages at a joint emergency meeting yesterday at Ukhrul, which discussed the next PMGSY stage II - black topping.

The organisations unanimously resolved to oppose the stage -II- blacktopping of PMGSY road until the realignment/correction of gradients and improvement are done as per the 'guidelines' concerned.

The 'unfinished' PMGSY stage I construction of road from Shirui to Kachouphung via Sahamphung block headquarter and Kamjong to Maokot via Chatric village has irked the Sambu villages

Speaking to this correspondent, the president of SRL, AS Nathan stated that the two organizations have resolved to oppose the PMGSY stage II for black topping the road from Shirui to Kachouphung village - a more than 100 kms stretch and Kamjong to Maokot which is about 50 kms until their demands are fulfilled.

The decision to oppose the stage II was taken to ensure completion of PMGSY stage I first for further implementation of stage II without compromising the quality of the work in order benefit the rural people, he said.

He alleged that the MSRRDA has already started awarding contract for PMGSY stage II despite persistent demand of the people of the area and the organisations.

The contractors have abandoned/finished the stage I without proper construction of drainage in most of the portions, he alleged and added that ring culvert, retaining wall, breast wall at places are not even completed yet.

Constructed slap culverts have many serious cracks and are unsafe to travel, he said.

Recently a team of engineers, according to him, came to survey the PMGSY road for black topping in spite of the villages' demand for an all-weather road and proper completion of PMGSY stage I.Saying that the PMGSY road connects many of the Sambu villages with the district headquarters and is vital for their livelihood and growth, the organisations urged the department concerned and authorities to look into their grievances and fulfil the demand for rectification and improvement at the earliest in order to initiate the stage II works.

The organisations with the locals will launch intense agitation, if their demands are not heard, cautioned the bodies.