Potholes decorate Thangmeiband-Langol Road
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 24 2025: "It's not just bumpy, it's nearly impossible to drive without hitting a crater-sized pothole" --such is the condition of the Thangmeiband-Langol Road, a vital stretch connecting Thangmeiband and several pockets of Imphal with Langol--an important destination that has two of the most preferred hospitals in Manipur.

Langol has the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute and the Trevi Hospital.

The Thangmeiband-Langol Road is filled with massive potholes and uneven surfaces, and it has posed a serious risk to the health and lives of the locals, pedestrians and riders.

Residents and daily commuters have expressed frustration over the authorities' neglect of the road.

"It's not just bumpy, it's nearly impossible to drive without hitting a crater-sized pothole," said a Thangmeiband resident.

The poor conditions of the vital road have led to increased travel time, damage to vehicles, and accidents.

"When it rains, the water gets collected in the potholes, and the road is inundated with water.

With the road submerged under water and not visible, one has to carefully navigate to avoid hitting the potholes, which is nearly an impossible feat," said a frequent commuter.

What has inconvenienced the people most is the closure of the road from Lamphel to Shija Hospitals.

The road to the hospital has been shut since December 31, 2024 due to the construction of a cable-stayed bridge, as a part of the Lamphelpat Water Body Rejuvenation Project which wouldn't be completed anytime soon.

With the road shut, people seeking medical care have been made to take detours through the Mary Kom road, the Thangmeiband-Cheiroaching road or the main Langol road.

Hospital visitors and emergency vehicles are suffering the most severely.

The alternate routes are not only time-consuming, but also riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces.

"Every second counts in medical emergencies.

Medical ambulances and patients in critical conditions face obstacles and uncertainties everyday due to the terrible state of the roads," said a resident of Langol.

"The road has been shut for more than six months, however, there is no significant progress and effort to complete the construction of the bridge early," said another resident.

The risk the road poses elevates at night-time.

Riders and commuters are unable to see the road clearly and avoid obstacles.

Accidents have occurred and people have been hurt, said a resident near Shija Hospitals.

"Urgent intervention of the Government is highly required to repair the Thangmeiband-Langol road and complete all the projects along the stretch to ease and ensure uninterrupted travel," said a Thangmeiband resident.

Monsoon is here, and the condition of the road will only worsen without immediate actions.

If no action is taken immediately, the Thangmeiband-Langol road will continue to remain a glaring and an unfortunate example of the Government's neglect for its people, the resident added.

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