IMPHAL, January 7: A bridge at Makui Golai of Makhui village over the Irang Turel which connects the areas of Leimakhong, Kangpokpi, Tadubi and Tamei is in a pitiable condition and to make matters worse the side-road off the IT Road that leads to Makui village is going to be cut off whenever Irang Turel is in spate due to lack of retaining walls.
The problems faced by the hapless villagers came to light during an inspection tour made by Tamei A/C MLA, Z Kikhonbou Newmai today. Speaking to media persons, the chairman of Makui village, R Luikamang said the villagers will be in trouble if the bridge and the retaining walls along the river bank are not constructed.
The villagers have highlighted their inconveniences twice or thrice to the Kangpokpi A/C MLA, Namcha Kipgen, appealing him to redress their problems but till now their pleas remain unheeded, Luikamang added.
`During the rainy session, the surrounding fields and the road are inundated when the water level of Irang Turel increases adversely affecting the movement of villagers as well as their agricultural activities. The width of the river is increasing annually in this area but the villagers cannot stem its widening`, he said
`If nothing is done, as a result of this erosion process, some years down the line the road will cease to exist,` he cautioned.
The chairman further stated that if the retaining walls are constructed then the water level during rainy sessions can be kept under control.
He appealed the government and concerned authorities to look into the problems faced by the villagers and to act at the earliest to relieve the villagers from their woes