Road woes deepen Covid fear for people in Twilang area
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, July 09 2021: People of around 75 villages of various communities in Twilang area which is situated along the state's oldest highest highway Imphal-Tamenglong road are combating the dreaded pandemic COVID-19 with a deplorable road with numerous potholes and miserable medical infrastructure.

Since the past many years, people of Twilang area have been facing untold misery owing to the deplorable road condition, particularly during monsoon season despite the area having four elected MLAs from Tadubi, Tamei, Kangpokpi, and Saitu assembly constituencies.

The condition of the road has become more worrisome during this health crisis since almost all medical-related cases are emergencies while the road is not fit to serve such emergencies.

While the stretch from Kangpokpi town to Chawangkining is navigable, the stretch from Chawangkining to ThonglangAkutpa has become almost unmotorable.

Not only the people residing in the areas, but doctors and nurses posted at T Waichong PHC and mobile team of COVID vaccination are also having a hard time travelling along the road.

Recently, during a mass vaccination drive at 9 Miles Poudel Basti, Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen accompanied by Sangathan Mantri BJP Manipur Pradesh Abhay Kumar Giri travelled along the road to inspect and interact with the people about vaccination.

KSO Twilang Block president, Enock Kipgen taking the opportunity of the presence of the MLA and the Sangathan Mantri, highlighted the grievances of the people owing to the deplorable road and miserable health infrastructure in the area.

He said that the people of Twilang area need only two things - an all-season road and proper health infrastructure, adding that one ambulance sanctioned recently by the local MLA of Kangpokpi AC is yet to be delivered.

The Imphal-Tamenglong road was renovated a few years back but owing to the absence of proper drainage it has been damaged now.

Considering the pathetic condition of the road, 38 Assam Rifles of 22 Sector AR/IGAR (E) came forward and repaired some damaged portions of the road to make it easier for the people and medical personnel on duty to travel.

The Assam Rifles personnel took the initiative in the absence of any government assistance to repair the damaged Imphal-Tamen-glong road connecting the rural parts of Kangpokpi district with the mainland and further maintaining a freeway to Tamei and Tamenglong.

The local residents of Thonglang Akutpa and Thonglang Atongba joined the security forces leaving behind their farm jobs to change the fate of several villages in the hinterland.

The government needs to look into the matter and initiate immediate remedial measures for the people of Twilang at least during this unprecedented health crisis by providing required health infrastructure and repairing the road.

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