IMPHAL, December 18: The Senapati Districts Students’ Association has demanded satisfactory improvement in the repair works of the Senapati-Mao route along the National Highway 39 within 10 days.
A release of the student body signed by its president has stated that the SDSA has decided to PWD office picketing, machinery picketing and immediate halting of road related works along the highway in case of failure to respond within the stipulated time.
It has further stated that mere transportation of materials and few men on the road will not lessen inconveniences of the general public.
It has further informed that the concerned authority should complete the works along the route within January 2012. It has also demanded the concerned contractors and PWD (Highway division), Senapati H/Q to immediately come out with necessary clarification as to why the highway stretch from Senapati to Mao is in the present condition.
It has further recalled that since 2008, the SDSA has been persistently crusading for the improvement of the NH through numerous memorandums, reminders, MoUs, total bandhs, economic bandh and public consultative meetings.
“With no sight of relieve to the public even after sufficient funds are sanctioned by the Centre government, the SDSA has decided to resume agitation against the department and concerned agency” the statement added.
The release has further stated that since the taking over of works on the highway stretch by the state PWD from the BRO last year, there has been no visible improvement till date.
“With the worsening road condition day by day, both local as well as outside passengers are left at the mercy of dust and boulders lying unattended on the so called lifeline of the state”, the statement added.
It has further added that many parts of the highway especially in Chakumai village areas, Makhan village areas, Maram bazar to center stretch and Khongnem to Senapati stretch areas remained the worst hit by last year’s and this year’s monsoon season landslides and with the economic blockades lifted, regular commercial heavy trucks plying along the said portion has also taken a toll of the said highway” it added.
It has further added that with absolutely no proper drainage system and retaining walls along the sinking areas, some portion of the road in Makhan areas are lying with boulders unfit for even small four wheelers to ply.