Wahong-Soraphung PMGSY road work in doldrums
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, July 19 2024:
The village councils of Wahong and Soraphung, along with student bodies, Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) and Northern Raphei Students' Union (NRSU) have demanded immediate rectification of serious flaws in the ongoing construction work of Wahong-Soraphung road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Package No.MN09151 Phase IX.
The aggrieved parties also demanded authorities concerned to complete the project which is overdue by more than three years, without further delay, considering the acute hardships being faced by the hapless inhabitants of the border region.
"The construction project began in 2019 was scheduled for completion in 2020 .
However, over three years have elapsed since that deadline, and visible progress still remains elusive," stated Pomi Zimik, secretary of Wahong Village Council, during a press conference held at RKL office in Ukhrul town on Friday.
"Adding to the concern, the five-year maintenance period from 2020 to 2025 is nearing expiry," he continued adding that the same has raised further alarm among locals, who fear the consequences of the project's extended delay.
Stressing on the urgency of the situation, Zimik urged the relevant authorities to promptly look into the matter and exert pressure on the construction agency to complete the project expeditiously.
He also called for strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by the PMGSY in the construction process.
He also pointed out that on top of inordinate delay, the construction agency has also grossly compromised the quality of the work.
He said that in a deviation from the norms, bitumen, which should be applied over a secure shingling base, was carelessly laid directly onto dusty boulders.
According to Zimik, the project included 15 retaining walls and nine breast walls but none of these structures have been constructed.
Soraphung Village Council chairman Meliba highlighted that due to non-completion of the road, the villagers of the region bordering Nagaland on the western side and Myanmar on the eastern, are facing undue hardships in their daily life.
He lamented that blacktopping had only been completed on a few segments of the 15km stretch, and even those sections lacked proper quality maintenance.
He pointed out that grass has grown through the asphalt, highlighting the poor workmanship, neglect and lack of quality in the construction.
Meliba stated that despite personal inspection by an executive engineer from the department concerned, witnessing the substandard work quality, no corrective measures have been taken to improve the situation or accelerate project progress.
Briefing the media during the press conference, RKL president Paomi Khaveishang warned that unless authorities concerned take immediate action to ensure both the quality and timely completion of the construction project, RKL will be forced to launch stringent agitation.
He stressed that the public patience is now wearing thin and that further inaction will leave them no choice but to pursue more drastic measures.
On July 18, the Village Councils of Wahong and Soraphung, along with the student bodies Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) and Northern Raphei Students' Union (NRSU) conducted a joint inspection of the on-going construction and found the work to be of low quality.
It is learnt that the Manipur State Road Development Agency (MSRRDA) awarded the 15km road construction project to SN Pavei.
The project, estimated at Rs 528.93 lakh, is being executed by the Engineering and Project Implementation Unit II (EE/PIU-II) under the Rural Economic Development (RED) department.
As per the guidelines, construction was to commence on February 28, 2019, with a projected completion date of August 27, 2020.The contractor is supposed to provide maintenance for a period of five years, beginning on August 28, 2020, and ending on August 27, 2025 .
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