Protesting students lock office of NHIDCL ; Ukhrul reels under shabby road connectivity
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, July 10 2024: Peeved over the shabby conditions of Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami road and the resulting threat to commuters, the Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) and Northern Raphei Students Union (NRSU) locked the office of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) at Kamphasom, Ukhrul.

Reportedly, the General Manager of NHIDCL Ukhrul was also found out of station at the time the office was locked.

Notably, the road stretch from Ukhrul to Jessami connects all northern Tangkhul villages in Ukhrul district.

It is said that Ukhrul-Jessami road has been neglected for a long time, leaving the said stretch in a deplorable condition with no maintenance work.

Ukhrul reels under shabby road connectivity

There has been a report of blame game between NHIDCL and M/S Thruv Consultancy Services Ltd pertaining to the issue.

The work of M/S Thruv is to constantly oversee the work sites and submit a report to NHIDCL regularly to ensure the contractors concerned follow the criterion of the highway project.

M/S Thruv, however, is also almost dysfunctional in Ukhrul district.

On the other hand, the construction of the 30.9 kilometre stretch of Imphal-Ukhrul road (from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner) began in 2020 but the project is far from complete.

The Transport Minister Khashim Vashum had in February this year stated that the project will be completed this year.

According to the guidelines of the project, the highway construction has to be completed within two years.

It is reported that blacktopping, slope cutting, shingling and erection of retaining walls have begun at some portion of the highway stretch but construction of pucca drainage is yet to begin.

The pathetic situation of the road stretch has brought the denizens of Ukhrul invariable memories of the 70s and 80s when vehicles used to move at a snail's pace on the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Time was when travelling on this said road meant getting up early and catching the 'first bus" at about 6 am at Imphal to reach Ukhrul after dusk.

According to sources available to this correspondent, Varaha Infra Ltd was awarded the project to construct NH-202 in 2020.The project was to be completed within two years.

Over 50 sub-contractors were engaged under Varaha Infra Ltd and they were allotted different works from Yainganpokpi to Finch Corner.

The sub-contractors, however, stopped working and withdrew their machinery from the work sites as they failed to come to terms with the company (Varaha Infra Ltd) due to non-payment of salary and some other issues.

Reportedly, the company has not paid salary (six months) to the drivers, technical staff and machine operators engaged in the project.

Speaking to this correspondent, a group of people said that frequent mudslides and erratic water flow along National Highway 202 endanger the lives of those who travel along Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Going uphill from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner is also tedious for the drivers, they said and added that the road is unfit for commuting in the dry season too as it is dusty and bumpy.

It may be mentioned that the NHIDCL had assured Ukhrul AC MLA Ram Muivah and Phungyar AC MLA Leishiyo Keishing to complete the road project from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner before Shirui Lily Festival-2023 (though not celebrated) .