On the way, the minister was warmly received by villagers of Zingsui, Chamu, Roni, Kachouphung and Khayang. The school children and womenfolk clad in traditional attires welcome the dignitaries at Khayang which is situated near International Border Pillar Number 124.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
Minister of Public Works, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relations, Administrative Reforms, Commerce and Industries, Thongam Biswajit Singh and MLA of 44-Ukhrul Assembly Constituency, Alfred Kanngam Arthur along with Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner (DC) Joseph Pauline Kamsom and Kamjong DC Worshang Hungyo inspected the ongoing construction of PMGSY Road from Shirui to Kachouphung, a distance of 103 Kms.
On monday, the Works minister and the team travelled till Kachouphung village sharing international border pillars number 121 with Myanmar. The team moved out at 7:45 am from Ukhrul Headquarter and had lunch at Zingsui village at 10:35 am. On the way, the team inspected the ongoing construction of PMGSY Road and reached Kachouphung at 03:42 pm and came back to Khayang at around 05:00 pm for a meeting with leaders of the areas.
On the way, the minister was warmly received by villagers of Zingsui, Chamu, Roni, Kachouphung and Khayang. The school children and womenfolk clad in traditional attires welcome the dignitaries at Khayang which is situated near International Border Pillar Number 124.
Briefing the media after meeting with the leaders of the area, minister Thongam Biswajit Singh stated that the said work was started in 2016 and have witnessed the existing condition of the road and after deliberation with the headmen and leaders of the area including vice president of TNL, they have come to an understanding to work out the best for the people in the border area. Time frame for Stage I and Stage II will be completed in March 2022.
“The Hon’ble minister has assured the people, if the people are satisfied I am satisfied. I have to abide with the wishes of the people” stated Alfred Kanngam Arthur after the meeting at Khayang. Alfred Kanngam Arthur had raised the issue of faulty alignment of the road in the cabinet meeting held at Ukhrul Headquarter on June 4, 2019 and in the Assembly. During the Cabinet Meeting held at Ukhrul Headquarter, chief minister N Biren Singh had also directed the concerned authority to correct the alignment.
The Assembly of Sambu Raiping Long held on September 14, 2019 had also taken a resolution that “the people from the area will not tolerate or accept unless the concerned authority rectify the road alignment and work for Stage II will not be allowed.” It took almost two years to draw the attention of concerned authority to address their grievances.
Speaking to this correspondent, Naokahao Phungshok, VA of Zingsui stated that the PMGSY contractor had simply followed the old road from Zingsui to Phungtha which was constructed by IFAD in 2004-05 and questioned the sincerity and calibre of the engineer who are associated with it. Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude to minister Th Biswajit Singh for his visit and intervention.
Minister Th Biswajit Singh also inspected the ongoing construction of Sahamphung TD Block and expressed dismay at the progress and nature of the work and assured the villagers that he would instruct the concerned department for necessary improvement. The SDC Circle Sahamphung was inaugurated on March 19, 1983 and upgraded to SDO/BDO in 2013 in pursuance of Cabinet Meeting held on December 16, 2013. 26 revenue villages from Kamjong District and five revenue villages from Ukhrul District were bifurcated to form Sahamphung TD Block.
The secretary of TNWL, chairman of TNZL, president of Zimgsho Katamnao Long, president of Sambu Raiping Long, convenor of PMGSY Road Committee, team of Sambu Katamnao Long also accompanied the visiting team.