Incompetence, neglect writ large on Wangkhei road
Source: The Sangai Express / Kamajit Irom

Imphal, June 13 2025: The Wangkhei Main Road, a vital route in Imphal East, connecting key residential areas such as Konung Mamang, Wangkhei, and Kongba Kshetri Leikai, continues to deteriorate despite repeated attempts at repair.

As Imphal has grown over the years, the road has become a crucial link for daily commuters.

However, poor maintenance, substandard construction, and lack of proper drainage have left it in a state of constant decay.

Authorities have made various efforts to improve the road and its drainage system, but residents say the fixes are superficial as the road remains packed with potholes and unwanted bumps, disrupting traffic flow and making travel unsafe.

Incompetence, neglect writ large on Wangkhei road

Residents claim that the authorities, instead of upgrading the road to meet increasing traffic demands, have relied on temporary fixes that barely last months.

The road's surface is constantly filled with patchwork of uneven repairs, with potholes reappearing soon after every monsoon and the absence of an even surface and proper drainage system worsens the problem, as stagnant water further weakens the road's foundation.

Expressing frustration over the issue, a local shopkeeper said "Every year, they fill the potholes, but within weeks, the road is worse than before.

"The apparent lack of coordination between pipeline workers and road construction teams is one of the reasons," implied another resident.

Water pipeline workers often dig up sections of the road for repairs, only for it to be poorly reinstated.

This constant digging and patching weakens the road, accelerating its degradation.

Adding to that, the residents also voiced that frequent protests, including tyre burning and tear gas shelling have also contributed to the road's deterioration.

The resulting cracks and debris are rarely cleaned up promptly, worsening the condition.

With monsoon season approaching, the condition of Wangkhei Main Road and its commuting residents are at high risk, raising fears of increased accidents and traffic jams.

With this, the locals argue that instead of temporary fixes, the authorities should ensure proper repairs by qualified workers using high-quality materials to ensure a sustainable condition of the road.

For now, the people of Wangkhei continue to endure their daily commute on the road even as they constantly express dissatisfaction over the lack of a complete, longterm solution.