Kumbi AC villages still to have motorable roads
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Yaiskul Salam

Imphal, September 08 2013: The Government of Manipur may be struggling hard to develop the surface transport system, but even after 6 decades of merger with the Indian Union, any improvement on the existing surface transport system still remains a distant dream for the people living in four villages under Kumbi Assembly Constituency of Bishnupur district.

The four villages namely, Chairen, Pombikhok, Napat and Tanjeng are located approximately 65 KM from Imphal.

There are no motorable roads in these villages and most of the inter village roads (IVRs) are still under construction.

While plying of two wheelers along these roads is not safe, it is still a challenge for drivers of 4 wheelers, specially along a stretch of 7 KM.

But the worst condition of the road that could be ever imagined is the 9 KM long stretch from the Kumbi Bazaar, which is actually the business hub of all the neighbouring villages.

Not to speak of any surface transport system, there is not even any sign of development in these 4 villages in other areas as well.

(below) The water-logged main road connectiing Moirang and Ithai : (above) The main road connecting Pombikhok, Napat and Tangjeng is no better than a mule track

The Chairel Turel Wangma Taba Primary School, which is the only school of the entire areas, is in a pitiful situation with the walls of the school building crumbling down and lying in dilapidated condition due to negligence of the Government and its concerned department.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Sorokhaibam Babu, Member of Chairen Ahallup Ward No 5 under Borayangbi GP, stated that successive governments that came into power have not taken up any necessary measures for the development of transport in the areas.

However, the Panchayat has upgraded the roads by providing concrete and the local MLA of Kumbi AC Sanasam Bira Singh has also helped in improving the condition of some roads within ward No.5 .

He further informed that the 2 water supply projects, which have been inaugurated 2 years ago are still not in usable condition.

When asked about the health facility available in the area, Babu stated that these four villages have only 1 (one) Primary Health Centre, but it exist only for name sake.

The health centre has no doctors, only 2 (two) nurses are serving the villagers, but the nurses attend the centre on Tuesday and Thursday.

This causes a lot of problem to the patients.

So, most of the patients in need of immediate medical attention are compelled to go either to Moirang Community Health Centre or the nearby Sagang Primary Health Centre.

There again, deplorable condition of the roads posed threat to the lives of the patients and there have been instances where the patients died before reaching the health centres.

Th Romesh, Member of Pombikhok Ward No 9 also told Hueiyen Lanpao that apart from deplorable condition of the roads, lack of development in other areas have made the life of the people living in Pombikhok very hard.

He pointed out that main road of the village is so bad that one has to risk his or her own lives while travelling along it.

There may be partial improvement in some portions, but the overall condition of the road is not appreciable at all.

Romesh further pointed out that the suspension bridge constructed over Imphal River at Wangoo Laipham Litan Makhong is in a bad shape today with most of the iron clamps damaged.

"It is an important bridge connecting 3 districts namely Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Thoubal.

So, the government needs to upgrade it", he noted.

The condition of the 12-km long main road from Moirang bazaar to Ithai Dam is also in a critical condition with puddles everywhere.

An old man pointed out that road has not been repaired for last many years.