Hunphun Committee bats for original DPR for NH-102A
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, January 12 2023: The Committee for NH-102A, Hunphun, comprising civil society organisations of Hunphun village, has called for a halt to the ongoing process for construction of a bypass road until the original Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed double-laning of National Highway-102A, which passes through the heart of Ukhrul town, is executed.

The Committee highlighted this during a press conference held on Thursday at Rashing Hall in Awungtang, Hunphun, attended by its convenor Khayui Raleng, Hunphun chief HA Sarimaya, Hunphun VA secretary W Muirangwo, Ail Hunphun Tang Association (AHTA) chairman Chonme Raleng, Hunphun Shanao Long (HSL) president Agnes Shaiza, and others.

"Our earnest appeal to the authorities concerned is to carry out the proposed widening of NH- 102A in Ukhrul town as per the original DPR," stated Khayui Raleng, adding that the original DPR was prepared by NHIDCL after completing necessary survey back in 2017.However, NHIDCL officials are apparently trying to bluff their way out of the original plan and have started claiming that the DPR was only prepared by BRO without them and that the proposed two-laming of NH-102A is not feasible due to steep topography or gradient issues, he said.

He went on to say that in view of the suspicious attitude of NHIDCL officials, the Committee has resolved to oppose tooth and nail any attempt to deviate from the original plan, which promised to develop the highway that passes through the heart of Ukhrul town.

He further said that the Committee still sticks to the original plan and would not allow construction of any bypass roads at the expense of the same.

HA Sarimaya conveyed that the public of Hunphun are unhappy with the manner in which NHIDCL is conducting itself in connection with the proposed highway expansion.

"We are the inhabitants of this land and we know our needs and concerns, no outsiders could impose their will on us in the matters of development," he said.

He further expressed dismay at the alleged distortion of the minutes of NHIDCL meeting held in connection with the double-lane Ukhrul bypass of NH-102A at the conference hall of EDP, NHIDCL, RO, Imphal on December 21, 2022 which was attended by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah and Hunphun local authorities.

He said that the voice and aspiration presented by the Hunphun local authorities in the meeting had been grossly misrepresented in the minutes of the meeting signed by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah.

He then informed that the Committee accordingly adopted a resolution demanding the MLA to rectify and clarify the misrepresentation of the stand of Hunphun local authorities within one week.

Sarimaya contended that they never mentioned and wrote to the NHIDCL for the upgrade of road from Dungrei to Kharasom Junction other than that of calling for expediting the NH102 (A) construction.

"Our representatives also mentioned and apprised in the MLA's presence in the meeting that the major portion of Ukhrul town road is already having width of 15-17 metres except for the stretch from Mission Ground to Kharasom Junction.

As per the original DPR 2017, NHIDCL must be aware that Mission Ground to Kharasom Junction is not the only exception.

He recalled that in the meeting, they repeatedly conveyed to NHIDCL officials in the MLA's presence that the Ukhrul/Hunphun local authority would never consent to the construction of Ukhrul By-pass Road until the NH-102(A) is constructed as per the original DPR of 2017.W Muirangwo pointed out that even as the DPR for expansion of the highway was approved and the people were awaiting execution of the same, a decision to construct the bypass road in place of the proposed NH-102A expansion was covertly taken by the government without the knowledge of Hunphun local authorities, SHL president Agnes Shaiza mentioned that the Committee is initiating the move to ensure expansion of the congested highway in the town in the larger interest of the entire town residents not just of Hunphun public.

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