National Highway-2 a threat to innocent lives
Source: The Sangai Express
Kanggui, December 01 2013 :
The Senapati�Gamgiphai�Sekmai section of National Highway 2, the most important road link serving as the lifeline of the State is in a dilapidated condition due to administrative apathy.
not repaired for many months this stretch of the highway has turned into countless potholes in various segment thereby posing serious threat to the people.
Tall claims of the state Government about providing better road connectivity to people both in valley and hill districts notwithstanding, the important road link that passes through Sadar Hills is in complete shambles, causing incredible adversity to commuters and pedestrians.
The said road is dotted with potholes making the movement of vehicles and pedestrians equally difficult.
Due to the pathetic condition of the road students and employees of the areas are suffering too as they are not able to reach their respective work places in time.
The problem aggravates when people have to ferry patients and pregnant women to Imphal for emergency medical examination.
Many people have developed backache and other orthopaedic problems after frequently travelling on this highway due to the bumpy ride.
The dust on the highway which emanates during the dry season is another cause for worry because respiratory disorders are imminent among the commuters.
portion of the road in Maram, Taphou Kuki, Bongmol, Leikop, Bimparao, Sapormeina, N Songlung, Mongpiyang, Pangmol and Motbung areas are the worst which needs immediate attention of the authorities concerned.
But this does not mean that condition of the remaining portion of the highway is better.
Residents of Kangpokpi, Keithelmanbi, Kalapahar, Daili village too are affected by the dilapidated road.
The huge and expanding potholes at Motbung bridge is an alarming threat to the people.
The bad condition of the road leads to frequent traffic jams causing huge inconvenience to commuters and resulting in wastage of their precious time.
A distance of 60-minute drive between Kangpokpi to Imphal takes at least two and half hour which is very irritating.
This phenomenon is not only hampering the communication network for the people but also adversely affecting economic activities of the common masses for most agricultural products are transported to Imphal markets.
"Our vehicles have suffered extensive damage due to the dilapidated condition of the road between Senapati and Sekmai", said a passenger bus driver adding that the annual maintenance cost of the vehicles is going up.
"Will the Government compensate us if our vehicles are damaged due to dilapidated condition of road", asked a resident of Kangpokpi.
He said that his car developed faults because of potholes in between Leikop and Bimparao.
Expressing grave concern over the dilapidated condition of National Highway 2, Chungkam Haokip, former president of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills appealed to the higher-ups to take quick notice and do the needful.
He said that the highway has been ruined adding to passengers' woes before adding that the road have worsened with several segments needing urgent repairs.
Chungkam added that leaving aside other functionaries of the Government, Governor of Manipur Dr Ashwani Kumar and his better half paid a maiden visit to Kangpokpi travelling in this pathetic road.
The people were very much elated that their unspoken desire will at any cost be redressed since the Governor had travelled by road.
But till now the people's expectation remain far away from materializing.
He further asserted that road repairing and maintenance are scandalous along National Highway 2 as contract works are bagged by politically influential people.
The present SPF led Manipur State Government has already completed half of their second term.
The parties who are part of this Government must introspect as to what they have done for the welfare of the people during this period keeping in mind many of their promises made to the poor and gullible people.
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