Hunphun VA urges DC for highway extension in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, August 30 2022: Even as NHIDCL is all set to take up construction of a two-lane bypass highway, Hunphun Village Authority (HVA) has urged Ukhrul deputy Commissioner for expansion of the existing NH-102A that passes through the heart of Ukhrul town.

In a representation submitted to Ukhrul DC Krishna Kumar, Hunphun headman HA Sarimaya and secretary W Muirangwo on Tuesday, the Hunphun village authority stated that it sticks to the original plan for extension of the existing NH-102A rather than the newly proposed two-lane bypass highway construction in the district headquarters.

"You are requested to direct the NHIDCL officials to start the process for the construction work of the two-lane expansion of NH-102A by expanding the existing road that passes through the present Ukhrul town," it said, while urging the district administration not to deviate from the originally surveyed and approved position.

HVA further urged the authorities not to reduce the highway which it claimed, is the pride of all citizens living in the district headquarters, to an Inter Village Road(IVR) .

"Such a step would be the most regressive action we would witness.

The people of Ukhrul district of which you are the head of the ad ministration deserve more than this and we are sure that you too feel the same way," it said.

It continued that shifting of National Highways in the guise of a bypass is unheard of in any part of the country.

"Just the name "bypass" indicates that it is not the original highway but a bypass from town/city limits so as to ensure the citizens living within the town/city are saved from any inconveniences," it added.

It is learnt that a new two-lane bypass road has been proposed to be constructed on the western side of the district headquarters spanning around 6.2 km from Lower Hungpung to Toloi Junction.

"After much deliberation, the Hunphun Village Authority unanimously reaffirmed its earlier decision that only the original alignment as approved for the Ukhrul-Toloi-Tadubi road under NH102A will be followed," it said.

According to the village authority, it had communicated to the district administration on November 17 last year regarding its decision to stick to the original plan which would allow the highway expansion to pass through the heart of Ukhrul town.

Stating that the same has already been surveyed by NHIDCI in the presence of Hunphun Village Authority, it added that as per the original DPR, its decision remained firm.

"It has come to our knowledge that a decision was taken recently to construct the two-lane NH 102A while illegally bypassing the existing road that passes right through the existing national highway in the town," it said.

Recalling that Ukhrul Sub-Division has celebrated its Centenary in governance in 2019, the village authority stated that it took more than 100 years for the citizens as well as the administration to build Ukhrul headquarters to its present status today and to which the biggest contributor for all progressions has been the present Highway which passes through most localities of the town and as such, is the lifeline.

It said that with the current population of Ukhrul headquarters consists of at least 75-80 thousand citizens, around 50 percent of the domicile population in the district are settled in the district headquarters.

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