'Making NH 53 state's lifeline still a dream'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 29 2011: Despite the promises made on several occasions by political leaders and top bureaucrats of both the Centre and the state of developing the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH 53 into the second lifeline of the state is still a far cry from reality.

It has been over eight months since the Centre sanctioned ' 300 crore for the improvement of the state portion of the highway but no progress in improvement work is seen still date.

Dissatisfied with the non-initiation of the road improvement work, president of the United Club NH 53, Thongam Shyama Khaba Nganba said that in total contrast to the expectation of the people, the condition of the highway has in fact deteriorated.

Briefing the media today at Moirang Hanuba Leirak, the president informed that a team of representatives of the club had conducted an inspection of the road improvement work taken on the highway from April 17 to 20 .

The team found a marked improvement of the highway from Keithelmanbi to Noney but they were unsatisfied with the improvement works beyond Noney.

There were many portions where no development works have been taken up till date.

At some places even shingling work has not been taken up and the road will be inaccessible during the rainy season, he observed.

No BRTF labourers were seen working on the road and the team came across with just some local labourers with five JCBs engaged in the improvment work.

It is beyond any possibility to transport essential commodities on this highway, he observed.

Apart from the little progress , the conditions of the bridges along the highway are yet to be taken care of, he added.

If the ' 300 crore sanctioned by the Centre for the improvement of the 222 km highway, the highway can be used properly by investing ' 1 crore for every kilometer.

The only means to ease the woes of the people, particularly truckers, is to make the highway an all weather road.

Considering this, authorities of both Central and State government need to give special attention, Shyama said.

CM Ibobi frequently inspects developmental projects taken up in Imphal area but he does not seem to take any interest in the improvement of this highway despite its importance.

He has never inspected the progress work taken up on this highway, the president went on to lament.

The habit of the government to remain silent until the people rises against is not a good sign.

The club wanted the MLAs of Saitu, Tamenglong, Nungba and Jiribam where the highway passes through to give special attention to the improvement work of the highway, he asserted.

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