IMPHAL, Manipur,June 7: It has been eight long days that tourists, especially in the state have stopped tripping to the popular tourist spot, Leimaram Waterfall due to bad road condition.
Residents of Leibol Khunou and Sadu Chiru in the surrounding area of the Leimaram Waterfall told IFP that the road stretch from Leimaram Lamkhai to the foothill of the waterfall is now in a dilapidated condition.
The road stretch from Leimaram Lamkhai to the waterfall along the Imphal Tiddim Road, which is a section of National Highway-150, is about 8 km long. However, parts of Sadu Chiru and Leimaram Lamkhai along the IV route are still motorable.
However, the road section stretching from Leimaram Lamkhai to the foothill of the waterfall is now having a lot of potholes, a serious condition where normal vehicles cannot travel. As a result of this, many tourists have injured in accidents.
At the same time, the Lamjing Lup, a civil society has imposed a road block al/ng the stretch since June 1 following which tourists have stopped visiting the site.
The villagers also said the Sadu Chiru village donated 5 hectre of land, apart from another 22 hectre by the chief of Leibol Khunou village in favour of the Leimaram Waterfall.
About Rs 20 lakh should be paid by the state Tourism Department as land compensation to the land owners, they maintained. Surprisingly, the government has not yet given the amount till today.
However, the origin of the waterfall is Loiching Chingdon in Leibol Khunou and that the current of the waterfall is usually strong during the month of June and July, the timekwhen visitors throng it. But, visitors are now really disappointed owing to the road block.
The villages of Sadu Chiru and Leibol Khunou charge Rs 50 from every bus and Rs 30 from every light vehicles coming to the waterfall. The charge is taken as per the agreement reached between the government and the authorities of the two villages, they said.
The charge taken from the visitors will be stopped as soon as the government gives the compensation, the villagers insisted.
They also called upon the state government to take up road development works in the area at the earliest possible.
