JAC for unhindered completion of old Ukhrul road works
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, January 27 2024:
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Development of Old Ukhrul Road New Haven to Tolloi Junction (SH-08) via Lamlang Gate has called for timely and successful completion of the on-going restoration of the state highway, without letting it influenced by any external or political forces.
In a press conference held at Hotel Ice Land, Wino Bazaar, here, on Friday, JAC general secretary Happylife Leisan informed that the restoration and improvement work of the old road, which is being taken up under the Central Road Fund (CRF), commenced on January 4, 2024.He stated that the project aimed to cover a distance of 29km from Shokvao (New Haven) to Talui Junction via Lamlang Gate, adding that the old road runs through a fertile stretch along the Thoubal river, making it a crucial connectivity link for the most populous region of the district.
He stated that the on-going project is very important to the people of the region, and it should not be subjected to any political agendas.
"We appeal to the authorities concerned to ensure that the restoration work is completed successfully without any hindrances," Leisan, who was flanked by JAC convener AS Wungnaoyo and other members of the committee, said during the press conference.
He further said that the JAC has been actively monitoring the progress of the restoration project and conducted an inspection on January 24 last.
Leisan said that the JAC was pleased to note that the work was progressing smoothly, and they urged the contractor and departmental officials to maintain the same level of dedication and commitment till the project's completion.
On behalf of the JAC, Leisan also expressed gratitude to works minister Govindas Konthoujam for approving the improvement of the road.
He also said that the state highway-08 is one of the oldest highways in the state, but sadly, it had been neglected for over 40 years due to various reasons, including political influences.
"As such, all stake holders came together to revive the lifeline and thus, the JAC was formed in 2016 by the direct stakeholders of seven villages, namely Shokvao, Ramva, Tashar, T Chanhong, Lamlang, Pharung, and Hunphun, through the endorsement of the apex civil society organizations of the district such as Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang (TNZL)" .
Leisan further cited prime reasons for the formation of the JAC and mentioned the state government's acute apathy of this road section, as well as the practice of corrupt 'flying bill' activities by politicians and contractors.
He also pointed out the negative effects of vote-bank politics, leading to the cancellation of work programs and the competition between valley-based and hill-based contractors for contracts.
He then appealed to the authorities to refrain from conducting financial transactions for the on-going Central Road Fund (CRF) work with out first obtaining a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the JAC.
Any issues that arise in the implementation of the road improvement work should be settled only in consultation with the JAC, as it is the only legitimate body for the local people, he added.
Simultaneously, Leisan urged the state authorities to consider developing the existing road into a four-lane highway for the benefits of the public.
He cited the proposal made by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah in 2022, as evidence of the urgent need for this improvement.
According to Leisan, MLA Muivah, during his tenure as secretary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), and Masakhui Rungsung (IFS), high commissioner to Jamaica, successfully convinced the then Union secretary of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), Vijay Chibber, to undertake the improvement work of the road under the category of economic importance.
Leisan further disclosed that the JAC brought the sorry state of the road section to the attention of former works minister Th Biswajit Singh.
Thereafter, the JAC undertook tasks such as landslide clearance and jungle clearance, to facilitate the necessary survey for the road improvement work by pooling its own resources, he said.
According to Leisan, in 2018, a survey was conducted and an amount of Rs 1 crore was sanctioned under the Ministry pf Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).
He recalled that a consultancy firm had already completed the necessary DPR for the project which was then forwarded to the state government for its implementation.
"This was during the tenure of former Ukhrul MLA Alfred Khanngam Arthur.
And it was later discovered that the fund was diverted elsewhere, leaving the target project unfulfilled," lamented Leisan.
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