Tamei, June 08: Local MLA of Tamei, N Awangbow accompanied by officials from the State Public Works Department (PWD) and student leaders of the area have inspected the NEC funded project of construction of bridge over the Barak river, 33/11 KV power sub-station in Tamei subdivisional headquarters, a bailey bridge over Maguiki river and 22.2 km long road stretch from Tamei to Tening in Nagaland via Katang in Tamenglong district during his tour which ended on Saturday.

The MLA assured to play his part for the early completion of the pending developmental works in the area.

During the inspection, MLA Awangbow said that a meeting at chief engineer level would be held with representatives of the Zeliangrong Students' Union (ZSU) Tamei area and Tamenglong district sometime in the second week of June in Imphal to discuss the progress of the construction of the Barak bridge.

It has been alleged by the ZSU Tamenglong and Tamei area that the work undertaken for the construction of the bridge over Barak river is sub-standard.

The students have been raising apprehension that the bridge may not be able to withstand the flooding current of the river.

In the year 2004 the bridge was completely washed away by the strong current of flooding Barak.

To this, chairman of Kunphung village K Putla said that the villagers nearby have faced immense hardship during the time when the bridge over Barak river was carried away by the flood of 2004.It may be recalled that the construction of the bridge over Barak river had been started since December 1998 .

It was inaugurated by former Minister DP Panmei from Tamei A/C.ZSU-Tamei area convenor Pagabou said that considering the role played by the bridge in the day to day affairs of the people of the area, quality should be maintained in the construction of the bridge.

Pagabou said that the people and school children are at risk in using the makeshift bridge especially the during rainy season.

The MLA and his team have also inspected the construction of bailey bridge over Maguiki river in the Manipur-Nagaland border.

The team noted with seriousness regarding the condition of the cracking of retaining walls in the side of the Manipur border.

They have also discussed the need to construct longer retaining wall both in the Manipur and Nagaland sides.

The foundation for the construction of the suspension bridge over Maguiki river was laid in December 2002 by MPCC president Gaikhangam.

Regarding the electricity condition, the ZSU leaders of Tamei area have vented their angst indomitably against the state government for the delay in completion of the 33/11 kv power substation at Tamei sub-divisional headquarters, foundation stone of which was laid by chief minister Ibobi way back in February 2006 .

Meanwhile, at the end of the surveying programme, MLA Awangbow said that only certain portions of the 22.2 km long Tamei-Tening road are done with black topping.

He said a show cause notice had been served to the concerned contractors for the delay in completion of black topping of the said road while adding that the concerned department had also been pressurized for the early completion of the road.

Works for the construction of this road had already been started since February 1999 with a target completion in 2007 .

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