NH-2: The road that spells danger
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Kanggui

Imphal, November 29 2013 : National Highway 2, the most important road link serving as the main lifeline of Manipur is in a deplorable condition due to sheer administrative apathy over the years.

Lack of proper maintenance and failure of taking up necessary repairing works from time to time have led to appearance of countless number of potholes along various segments of the road, thus posing threat to the lives of commuters and other people settling along both sides of the road.

Notwithstanding the tall claims of the State Government about providing better road connectivity to people both in Valley and Hill districts, long years of negligence of the important road that passes through Sadar Hills, is today in complete shambles.

The road stretch of Senapati � Gamgiphai � Sekmai areas is dotted with potholes making the movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrians equally difficult.

Due to the pathetic condition of the road, students and employees of the areas are suffering like anything while trying to reach their respective educational institutions or work places in time every day.

This picture looks like craters on Mars, but in actual it is the condition of National Highway No.2

The problem is aggravated when people of the areas have to ferry patients and expecting mothers to Imphal for emergency medical cases.

On the other hand, many people have developed backache and other orthopaedic problems from frequent travelling on this bumpy highway.

The dust kicked up by the passing vehicles has also become another cause of concern for the people settling along the road as it has led to respiratory problems.

The broken and bumpy portions of the road from Maram - Taphou Kuki, Bongmol-Leikop-Bimparao-Sapormeina-N.Songlung-Mongpiyang-Pangmol-Motbung are in their worse possible condition today, needing immediate attention of the authorities concerned.

But this does not mean that condition of the other portions of the highway is any better.

Residents of Kangpokpi, Keithelmanbi, Kalapahar, Daili village too have been affected by the deplorable condition of the road.

The ever expanding potholes near Motbung Bridge are posing danger to the lives of the people travelling along this highway.

The bad condition of the road has also led to frequent traffic jams causing lot of inconveniences to commuters, who have to waste their precious time.

A distance of 60-minute drive between Kangpokpi to Imphal takes at least two and half hour.

Many a precious lives have also been lost and the number of accidents taking place along the highway is becoming a daily occurrence.

The deplorable condition of the road and negligence on the part of the authorities concerned to pay necessary attention have not only hampered communication network of the people but also adversely affected their economic activities.

"Our vehicles have suffered extensive damages due to dilapidated condition of the road between Senapati and Sekmai", said a passenger bus driver, adding that the annual maintenance cost of the vehicles has gone up.

"Will the Government compensate us if our vehicles are damaged due to dilapidated condition of road", asked a resident of Kangpokpi.

He said that his car developed mechanical faults because of potholes in between Leikop and Bimparao.

Expressing grave concern over the existing condition of National Highway 2, Chungkam Haokip, former president of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, has appealed to high-ups to take quick notice.

Chungkam added that leaving aside other functionaries of the Government, His Excellency, Governor of Manipur Dr.Ashwani Kumar and his better half paid a maiden to Kangpokpi travelling along this pathetic road.

The people were very much elated that their unspoken desire for better road would be fulfilled since His Excellency himself had personally travelled along this road.

But till date, the expectation of the people has remained far from materializing.