Village chief speaks out against accident prone stretch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 21 2022: Peeved over the repeated occurence of road accidents on Old Cachar Road and loss of lives on multiple occasions, chairman of Longsai Khul Kabidon Gonmei has asked the State Government to take responsibility for the road tragedy which killed several students and teachers at his village, today.

Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club today, the village chairman claimed that they have been urging the State Government and departments concerned to repair the Tongjei Maril Road also known as Old Cachar Road on multiple occasions by submitting memoranda and registering complaints 'but no initiatives have been taken up so far for the safety of the commuters' .

He also said that the fatal accident which took place at his village was depressing as many young students lost their lives.

Further urging the Government to take responsibility for the accident, the village chairman said that they even attached photos of the miserable road stretch while submitting complaints and memoranda to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Public Works Department and other departments concerned.

Claiming that the Government had assured to upgrade the road to the level of National Highway before the recent Assembly election, Kabidon claimed that they didn't realise the Government was giving only empty assurances at that time.

He also said that the chances of brake failure in between Laimaton upto Leimatak is very high as the 6 Kms road stretch is a descending portion.

Today's accident was also triggered by brake failure, the village chairman said.

Saying that many people have also lost their lives on this very road earlier too, he added that one heavy vehicle loaded with brick skidded and fell on top a house while going on Old Cachar Road.

Fortunately, the house was empty, he said.

Further stating that four labourers from the valley were also killed while heading towards Tamenglong for works earlier while one person from Tousal Village was crushed by a cement truck, the village chairman continued that the Government seems to be only giving lip services on bringing uniform development in the State as the important road stretch has become an extremely dangerous area.

There is no decline in people taking the road as there are many tourist spots, he said and added that there will be more casualties if the road is not repaired properly.

He then appealed to the State Government to repair the road and save lives.

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