IMPHAL, December 16: The Awang Sekmai Nongthonband Youth Club, Awang Sekmai has set December 31, 2014 as the deadline for the State Public Works department to repair the condition of the approach road connecting the Gas Bottling Plant, Sekmai from the National Highway no 2.
Secretary general of the youth club Khwairakpam Dhananjoy Singh speaking to media persons at the club premises said the approach road will be indefinitely blocked starting January 1, 2015 in case the government fails to meet the deadline.
He said the club volunteers supported by the local public had blocked the road several times demanding the authorities concerned to repair the road which has been in a deplorable condition for long.
However, the authorities have continued to remain silent and ignore the condition of the road for more than seven-eight years, he said.
Protesting against the government negligence, he said agitations were launched from April 1, 2014 and again from May 3, 2014.
On May 7, 2014, representatives of the club met with the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh at his office chamber along with the local MLA Kh Devendra Singh, IOC State co-ordinator KI Singh, the then deputy manager Stephe Guite, he said.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister had assured to take up the work after the rainy season by September/ October, following which the people lifted their agitation, he said.
However, the time assured by the Chief Minister has already passed, he said adding that the road is used by Gas Bullets, cylinder loaded trucks everyday leaving a dust storm behind them.
Meanwhile, rock boulders could be seen placed on the road to slow down the passing vehicles and at some places water pipelines of the water-supply were seen being used as water sprinklers.