Many seek Govt's attention as connectivity snaps along Saparmeina-Saikul road
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, July 21 2020:
After the wrath of monsoon hit hard in Twilang area along Imphal-Tamenglong road in the form of landslide that completely cut off the area with rest of the State, it has landed thousands of people residing along Saparmeina-Saikul road in similar condition.
On July 10 in the afternoon, a fifteen years old RCC Slab Culvert/Bridge along Saparmeina-Saikul State Highway was severely damaged by flood.
The slab culvert with a span of about 5 metres is situated at chainage 11.40 km from Saparmeina near Thangal Surung in Kangpokpi District.
According to Th Loken Singh, Executive Engineer, Sadar Hills Division, PWD, the RCC slab culvert has been totally damaged by the flood failure on July 10 and the condition of the culvert is beyond repair.
Considering the threat of utilizing the road in such condition, the Executive Engineer has closed off the road and halted traffic movement as a precautionary measure.
The Saparmeina-Saikul State Highway is the only lifeline of the local populace and the aged RCC Slab Culvert/Bridge serves as a one of the key component of the road leading to Kangpokpi DHQs from various villages in Konghom areas and Saikul Hill Town.
The people in over hundreds of villages in Saikul areas including Saikul Hill Town and Konghom areas had to face tremendous hardships with the closure of the road.
A team of Konghom Chiefs' Association and Konghom Area Youth Development Union led by L Tongkholen Khongsai, president, ST Morcha Sadar Hills, who is also the chief of L Loujol village, visited the area and damaged RCC slab culvert/bridge while taking stock of the public grievances.
Speaking on the sideline of the tour, L Tongkhlolen Khongsai said that the people residing in Konghom area solely depend on this road for transportation, connectivity, emergency services, etc and closure of the road has caused tremendous hardships to the people.
He also pointed out that a diversion was made before constructing the RCC slab culvert which can be easily restored as a temporary alternative by the concerned department considering the plights of the people and appealed the State Government to look into the matter and initiated immediate action.
Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer, Sadar Hills Division, PWD Manipur in his report to the Chief Engineer, PWD Manipur stated that the road is to be diverted from Ekou to Langkhong via Ekouphai which connects Saparmeina-Ekou road on the southern side of Thangal Surung.
However, the said diversion road is a kutcha road connected by a minor old wooden bridge of about 10 metre spans which requires immediate repairing to bear traffic volume.
L Tongkholen Khongsai however, recommended that the earlier diversion over the same stream near the damaged culvert should be restored and constructed at the earliest, which will be more convenient and easier.
Despite of the closure, two wheelers were seen plying over the damaged culvert on emergency.
Comment
