Poor road link dogs Kasom Khullen
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 14 2013: Apart from huge socio-economic pro-blems, the prolonged deplo- rable condition of the only road linking Kasom Khullen sub-divisional headquarters in Ukhrul district with Chandra-khong in Thoubal district is said to be demoralising the people of 44 villages in the sub-division.

Highlighting distressful situation besieging the sub-divisional people, North East Border Area Development Organisation (NEBADO) president Paisho Keishing regretted that there is no sign of administration in the sub-division due to the poor condition of the road crippling development work as well as having adverse effect on education and health care sector.

In case the Chandrakhong to Kasom Khullen road is well maintained the distance from the State capital to the Myanmar border in Ukhrul sector would be only 107 kms the shortest of all routes that connect Imphal with Myanmar, said the president at a press conference held today at Manipur Press Club.

Explaining that from Chandrakhong till Kasom Khullen HQs the distance is only 33 kms but takes 8-9 hours to reach the latter point as speed of vehicular movement is restricted to only 6-7 kms per hour, he said one can travel to the Myanmar border via Kashung Bungtung after traversing about 44 kms.

Disagreeing with the 'State Highway' label on the Imphal - Kasom Khullen road via Chandrakhong, Paisho said immediate attention of the Government is needed failing which about 12,000 population in 44 villages of the sub-division would continue to suffer further miseries.

The said road had been laying in tatters for the past many decades thereby demoralising the people, especially the student community for teachers of 44 Government schools and personnel of 103 anganwadi centres are reluctant to travel to their respective destinations, he maintained while reminding that the 'quality education' objective of the State Government will remain a pipedream if infrastructure development cannot be sustained.

With teaching staff inadequacy subsequently resulting in rate of school drop-out there is strong possibility that living in Kasom Khullen will be tasteless, Paisho lamented adding bad road condition will ultimately mean that mid-day meal scheme will fail miserably in the sub-division for food items cannot be transported in a regular manner.

Expressing serious concern that mortality rate in the area would increase as poor road connectivity has been literally keeping away medical personnel/practitioners, he referred to even elected representatives, Government officials and media persons unwilling to visit Kasom Khullen to describe severity of the link road's condition.

Even though the sub-divisional people are largely dependent on agriculture there is little expectation for a respectable life, economically, for agricultural products get rot in the aftermath of absence of viable transport system, said the NEBADO president.

He also cautioned that lack of road development initiative by the Government might encourage anti-social elements to smuggle drugs, arms and other contraband items through the route due to its comparatively shorter distance with the international neighbour.

While people of Kasom Khullen continue to suffer owing to deplorable condition of the only link road it is also possible that many upcoming generation of the entire State will fall prey to drug/substance abuse as well as the chaotic situation gripping Manipur continuing for many decades in case anti-social elements take advantage of lack of administration in the sub-division, observed Paisho suggesting that Government take all possible measures to not only help the people of the sub-division but also protect citizens of the State from activities of anti-social elements.

Among others, he also cited absence of banking facility and power supply as some of chief factors compelling the sub-divisional people to live life characterised by wretchedness, vulnerability and indiscretion.

Functionaries of United NGOs Mission Manipur were also present at the media briefing.

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