Ukhrul: Circular road in deplorable condition due to namesake construction
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, March 19 2020: Despite the persistent demand from the local populace, the contractor concerned of the eastern and western circular road of Ukhrul Town pays no heed and keep the construction work of the said road on halt.

Eastern and western circular road is the only optional road to ease traffic congestion of Ukhrul Town, however, the pathetic and namesake construction has kept the circular road in deplorable condition.

The road has also been abandoned for vehicular movement.

Today, Tangkhul Zonal chairmen along with Ukhrul Town locality leaders inspected the ongoing road construction of the eastern and western circular road.

There was no work progress and construction work is also on hold at present.

No labourers or machinery were also found at the worksite.

Potholes on some portion from Khararphung junction to St College was filled with mud.

The western circular road is yet to begin construction.

Speaking at the sidelines of the inspection programme, a local of Awontang, Ukhrul Angam expressed that during dry season, the road became dusty while in the rainy season the road becomes slushy and water flows unevenly as there is no proper drainage system.

Mentioning that potholes filling and repairing works are done only when Shirui Lily Festival approaches, he questioned if the road is constructing for the people of Ukhrul or for visitors only.

While the chairman of Northern Tangkhul Villages Association, Dearson Chamroy expressed dismay over the lackdiasical attitude of the contractor concerned.

He also made a scathing attack on the subcontractor concerned for uploading in social media last year that "construction work of the eastern circular road was executed from his pocket".

This has misled the general public and after verification, it was found that the fund sanctioned for the eastern circular road was Rs 2,30,84,221, he added.

The work was executed by subcontractor Lakpachui Siro.

As per sanction order, repairing work at the western circular road and the eastern circular road should cover a distance of 2.50 km and 3.76 km respectively.

Though PWD has directed for the commencement of the work with effect from April 19, 2018, the project is far from completion.

Drainage, protection wall, culvert or retaining wall in the circular road are also yet to be constructed.

The Tangkhul Zonal chairmen urged the department concern to withhold payment of all pending bills until a high-level inspection is conducted and verify the work quality.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the subcontractor should report to the TNL office on coming Saturday and give details information about work execution.

While the chairman of All Hunphun Tangs Association (AHTA) Ukhrul, Chonmi Raleng alleged that negligence on the part of local MLA, Alfred Kanngam Arthur is another reason for the delay in completion of the project.

The MLA should also hold responsible as he hardly visits the area to verify and see the ground condition for restoring the circular road in time, he asserted Chonmi said, "Ukhrul Town folks have been reeling under traffic congestion and bad road for many years yet the concern MLA fails to address and turn deaf ear to the plight of people" .

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