Potholes dot Imp-Kpi road stretch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2017: National Highway Number 2 or the Imphal Dimapur road is considered one of the most important roads for the Union Government's Act East Policy and the projects taken up for the Trans Asian Highway connecting India with the rest of the South East Asian countries.

But the road itself is in such a deplorable condition that those seeking to use the road will consider twice before using the route .

This is the second instalment of the story done on the pitiable state of the highway after the first which primarily dealt with the Koubru Leikha-Kanglatongbi-Motbung highway stretch .

Uncountable number of large potholes are found along the road stretch at various areas and the condition of the Highway is pathetic at Motbung bazar and Sapermeina under Kangpokpi district .

The existence of the potholes start from Heingang Assembly Constituency of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the more than 50 metres stretch of the road from Koirengei crossing upto the State orchidarium, is dotted with crater sized potholes .

Potholes dot Imp-Kpi road stretch

Similar potholes can also be found at Pheidinga, Tendonyang and Sekmai, under Sekmai Assembly Constituency of BJP MLA, H Dingo .

Some of the worsts conditions of the road can be witnessed starting at Kangpokpi district gate.

The entire 24 kilometres long road from Kanglatongbi to Kangpokpi district HQs is full of uncountable number of large potholes, some measuring around 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep, in the middle of the road, even though it falls under Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency of Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen .

Deplorable condition of the road can also be witnessed at the major market places along the road.

Motbung and Sapermeina bazar are filled with dust and the presence of potholes cause major problems, not only to the passers-by, but also to those who sell their vegetables and items in the market place .

The amount of dust kicked up by the vehicles passing through the area also make it almost impossible to see what is on the other side of the road .

Police personnel of Gamnom Sapermeina police station located along the road side, were found watering the potholes to control the dust from the road .

According to the locals, the condition of the road has been in a bad shape from the time of the previous Government and it is becoming worse day by day due to complete neglect from the present State Government as well .

One of the locals lamented that the failure of the State Government and the authority concerned to maintain the road as well as the incessant traffic of passenger buses, goods laden trucks and petrol/ diesel loaded trucks day and night has added to the deplorable condition of the highway .

He said that the people face many problems during the rainy season as the potholes get filled with rain water and mud .

Number of Ministers and MLAs of the present State Government have passed through the road and have even witnessed the condition of the road recently but it is unfortunate that the State leaders failed to consider developing the road and instead are remaining silent regarding the issue, despite their assurances and promises made to the people of the State in the name of development, he lamented .

A passenger bus driver said that it is very hard for the bus driver to drive along the road which is full of potholes .

He pointed out that they face even more problems during the night due to the lack of visibility of the potholes owing to the dust .

Many vehicles have broken down in the middle of the road and a number of unwanted road accidents have occurred recently along the road, he added.