Imphal river bank on the verge of crumbling
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03: Although there is no sign as yet of onset of rainy season for some days atleast, people settling alongside the western bank of Imphal river from Singjamei to Lilong Chajing have an insecure feeling.

And they have a good reason to worry about their safety as the river bank is in highly dilapidated state.

Several portions of the western bank of Imphal river have caved in and several other portions of the bank which got breached in last year's flood remain unrestored.

Such highly risky and dilapidated condition of the bank can be observed at Singjamei Oinam Thingel, Waikhom Leikai, Khongnang Pheidekpi, Ningomthong, Kha Ningomthong, Koirou, Thongju Waikhom Khongnang, Kyamgei Awang Leikai, Kyamgei Shantipur, Chajing Karam etc.

A damaged section of the Imphal river bank

At certain points, signs of taking up repairing works but which never materialised can be observed.

Representatives of Singjamei to Lilong United Clubs Organisation (SLUCO) and team of media persons made field survey of the western bank of Imphal river today.

At all these points of the western bank of Imphal river, people fought against the strong current of Imphal river which was in spate last year to prevent flooding and inundation but at Kyamgei Awang Leikai, the bank got breached and a large area including the whole campus of Manipur University was flooded for many days.

Except for the construction of retaining wall taken up at Kyamgei Awang Leikai where the Imphal river bank breached last year, no repairing or renovation work of the bank could be observed on its stretch from Singjamei to Lilong Chajing.

Whatever repairing work taken up along the bank was found to be a farce.

According to a functionary of the Eikhoigee Club Oinam Thingel, the IFCD was enacting a scene deceiving the people that they were repairing the dilapidated bank in the last three years.

Even though the portion which caved in last year has been repaired, it would not be enough to hold back waters in the event of a flood.

During the survey tour, many people have the opinion that if the mounds dotting the river bed are removed and the river bed is dredged regularly, the river bank would remain firm and it would not have dilapidated to such level.

The portion of the river bank near Koirou Laimang had been excavated for new earth filling.

Even as earth has been unloaded there, it remain as elevated mounds without levelling.

Except for the stretch from Singjamei bridge to Leishangthem Leikai and another short stretch at Oinam Thingel, road has been made below the river bank.

But black-topping work has not been completed by more than 20 percent.

Even though a similar road has been made below Imphal river bank from Lilong Chajing to Samurou 10 years back, the road has not been black-topped yet.

Most of the roads connecting Imphal river bank to NH 39 have been black-topped but the road connecting Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai to Oinam Thingel and that one connecting Koirou to MU gate remain unrepaired.

Taking serious note of the dilapidated condition of the river bank, SLUCO president Wairokpam Gunindro said that appeals and complaints would be submitted to the Department concerned so that the river bank is repaired at the earliest.

In case the Department fails to pay heed to the appeal, SLUCO will take its decision and take up various protest movements, he said.

Saying that today's survey tour is not the final, Gunindro stated that SLUCO will look into other deficiencies and grievances of the people residing between Singjamei and Lilong.