Imphal-Ukhrul road work continues at snail's pace
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, March 05 2025: Folks in Ukhrul town are assailed by apprehensions about whether the construction of Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202) will be completed by May 2025, as assured by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Authority before the Tangkhul CSOs in September 2024 .

According to Paothing Vashum, former ADC member, the construction has been moving at a very slow pace with barely any progress and taking an excessive amount of time.

He informed that the project started in March 2020 and was due to be completed in 20 months with an estimated cost of Rs 411 crore.

Imphal-Ukhrul road work continues at snail's pace

The two-lane highway expansion work from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner (30.6 kms) stretch include new cutting of road, blacktopping, construction of drainage, culvert, breast wall, retaining wall, minor and major bridge etc.

According to reliable sources, at least two portions at New Heaven and Mahadev areas require fresh cutting for expansion of road while multiple portions were blacktopped but no drains were constructed.

Meanwhile, the construction of three major bridges are proceeding at a snail's pace and hardly any breast walls have been constructed along the road, said Vashum.

Workforces, heavy machinery and other equipment were seen operating in isolated areas of highway.

The limited deployment of manpower has delayed work progress, he added.

As a result, it has become a matter of apprehension among Ukhrul town folks on whether the road stretch from Finch Corner to Gwaltabi (30.6 km) can be completed by May 2025, as assured by the NHIDCL.

Highlighting the importance of the Imphal-Ukhrul Road as a vital lifeline for both Ukhrul and Kamjong district to connect with the State capital, the former ADC member rued that the road continues to remain in a dilapidated condition causing immense hardship in transportation through the years.

The highway becomes dusty and bumpy to drive during the dry season while in the rainy season, it is slushy and sluggish, he said.

He also recalled that when a team of MLAs and Government officials visited the site in 2023, NHIDCL assured the team that the two-lane highway expansion work from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner would be completed before the Shirui Lily Festival 2023, but they ultimately failed to deliver.

Again, in September 2024, NHIDCL Authority assured to complete the construction work of Imphal-Ukhrul Road within nine months (by May 2025) before Tangkhul CSOs at Yaingangpokpi during a joint road inspection.

Vashum informed that Project Manager, PK Singh of Varaha Infra Ltd assured the team that the Imphal-Ukhrul Road would be completed by May 2025 .

Notably, Varaha Infra Pvt Limited has the contract for the highway expansion work and improvement of NH-202 from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner and maintenance of the existing road.

At that time, the Project Manager had assured the team that more work force including additional machinery and labourers will be engaged to expedite the work in order to achieve the target for completion of the highway within the stipulated time.

Despite such assurances the construction work continues to progress slowly.