Leishang Hiden project comes to grinding halt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 25 2024: Leishang Hiden beautification project which was executed on war-footing at one point of time has come to a grinding halt.

Leishang Hiden is a canal which runs straight from near the main gate of Manipur University up to the Lilong bridge alongside NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh highway).

It is around 30 metres wide and 3.4 Kms long.

Leishang Hiden beautification project was taken up way back in 2011-12 .

With the Public Works Department acting as the implementing agency, two local contractors started executing the project, and the authorities were planning to complete the project within a short time.

As a part of the project, Horticulture Department was entrusted the task of planting trees and flowers on either side of Leishang Hiden.

One high ranking official of PWD said that the project was abandoned midway because neither any fund was earmarked (in the State budget) nor sanctioned for the particular project.

Some lands were also acquired from private pattadars for the Leishang Hiden beautification project.

However as these plots of land remain unutilised till date, people have started building kutcha houses/structure on these plots.

Moreover, the land owners have filed a pe tition at Court seeking return of their lands as the Government has failed to utilise the lands for the particular purpose for which they were acquired.

Meanwhile, audit authorities have written to the PWD asking why the Leishang Hiden project was abandoned after investing a substantial amount.

A local MLA, citing the Imphal Ring Road project, has verbally asked officials concerned to stop construction of bridge over Leishang Hiden.

Notably, a bridge is being constructed over Leishang Hiden.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways enquired the State PWD about places other than Imphal airport where the highways are straight and fit for aeroplanes to land, said the official.

Responding to the query, the State PWD told the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that aeroplanes can land on Koirengei-Mantripukhri section of Imphal-Dimapur highway and the Leishang Hiden section of Imphal-Moreh highway.

The State PWD also informed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of its plan to construct an elevated highway from Koirengei which would pass right in front of the Raj Bhavan Gate, the official added.

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