Poor connectivity isolates Tousem
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2014 : Although Tousem is a sub-division of Tamenglong district, people of Tousem and surrounding vi-llages are yet to get any benefit from being an administrative sub-division under the State Government.

One primary factor for the sub-division's sheer underdevelopment is poor connec- tivity or absence of it.

The only road which connects Tousem sub-divisional headquarters with Kaiphundai junction of Imphal-Jiribam highway has not been repaired even once since Mani- pur achieved Statehood in 1972 .

A team of media persons visited Tousem sub-division a few days back and many villages poured out their tales of woes and grievances.

The 52 Kms long road from Kaiphundai to Tousem sub-divisional headquarters is abound with potholes which got waterlogged during rainy seasons and churned out columns of dust during dry sea- son.

It takes two to three hours for one to travel just 26 Kms from Kaiphundai to Longchai village.

Photographs tell no lies as this one testifies Photographs tell no lies as this one testifies

Longchai Students' Union president Philemone Rongmei said that there was passenger bus service up to the sub-divisional headquarters in the past but all bus owners have opted for other routes because of the extremely worn out condition of the road.

If one must travel outside the sub-division, they have to hire Shaktiman truck or jeep.

In case of emergency medical situation, the only means of transport for the ailing person is litter.

Condition of the road from Longchai to Tousem is even worse than the Kaiphundai-Longchai section which takes two to three hours for a vehicle to cover its distance of just 26 Kms, Philemone Rongmei said.

On account of the pathetic road condition, all Government employees posted at the sub-division did not come to their offices with the exception of some Chowkidars/care-takers.

Instead, they have been doing their official works at Tamenglong district headquarters.

Because of the extremely poor connectivity, people of the sub-division feel closer to Jiribam or Assam.

People go to Jiribam or Assam for their daily needs, education and health care services.

On the other hand, the road connecting Tousem to Tamenglong is as good as dead as no bridge fit for vehicular movement has been constructed over Barak river which bisects the road.

In another word, there is no connectivity between Tousem and Tamenglong district headquarters, decried Philemone Rongmei .

Longchai village chief Pantilung Gonmei said that Jiri river and Makru river flow on either side of the village.

There is a historical market place called Raja Bazar in Assam just 8 Kms away from Longchai village.

There are unofficial records about meetings between Meitei kings and Dimasa kings at Raja Bazar.

Even the Government authority has been approached repeatedly to develop the road, no positive action has been initiated till date.

Tamenglong district headquarters was developed with construction materials brought along this road by local people.

Some makeshift structures used by the villagers for holding nights in the course of transporting construction materials still stand, said Pantilung Gonmei.

There is another road which connects Longchai to Tamenglong after crossing Makru river but again there is no bridge which renders the road purposeless.

Philemone Rongmei also expressed keen desire for upgrading the Lower Primary School of Longchai as a full fledged Government school instead of keeping it in the present status of being a Government aided school.