Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21, 2010:
Expressing strong reservation against the decision of the State Government to take over the task of maintenance and improvement of National Highway 53 by the State PWD from BRTF/BRO, Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), Nungba Zone has asserted that taking such a hasty decision without consulting the people living along the whole road stretch is nothing but ignoring the plight and sentiments of the people.
In a statement, information and publicity secretary of ZYF Nungba Zone Gaireilung Rongmei said that everyone is aware of the deplorable condition of Khongsang-Tamenglong road before it was handed over to BRTF/BRO.
The only 39 km long stretch of road diverting from National Highway-53 to Tamenglong district headquarters was in a horrible condition because of the failure of the State PWD in executing the works and maintaining the road despite necessary funding.
The condition of the road has improved only after the work was entrusted to BRTF/BRO.
So, the decision of the State Government to take over the road development work of National Highway-53, which is more than 200 km from Imphal to Jiribam will be another exercise in futility and criminal wastage of public fund, Gaireilung said.
This decision is not in the interest of the people but in the interest of the Ministers and few contractors to mint money by taking advantage of the prevailing situation, Gaireilung further said, adding that the people of Manipur are well aware that there is not a single road under State PWD which is fit to be called a road.
The horrible condition of Imphal-Maram section of National Highway 39 under State PWD is another glaring example of the incompetence of the Works Department, he cited, while pointing out that hill areas have been made accessible only by the efforts of the BRTF/BRO.