Road stretch from Thangmeiband to Shija Hospital Neglected for long, no repair in sight

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 12 : Even as construction of rigid pavements in and around Imphal city to ease traffic and enhance commuters' comfort is on in full swing,  a mere 1 kilometre long road from Thangmeiband Watham Leirak to Shija Hospital is filled with potholes, uneven stretches and bumps, said residents along the dilapidated stretch.
When it rains the road stretch becomes all mud and slush and when it does not then it becomes all dusty.
The road from Thangmeiband Watham Leirak to Shija Hospital road via Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Imphal is filled with large potholes, protruding gravels and stones--which are posing serious risk to commuters.
During rainy days, the road is inundated with water, and sludgy--often causing motor accidents as it becomes impossible for the drivers to see the huge potholes.
During sunny days, the road is covered with dust--which has become cause of serious health concerns for the locals as well as commuters.
The road leads to at least three major hospitals including the Shija Hospital, Trevi Hospital and Hills Side Hospital--all of which are popular destinations for people seeking medical care.
While the road is vital for the locals as well as people seeking medical care, it has been kept neglected for long without any visible steps to reconstruct and repair it, said locals.
Notably, this concern of the residents of Thangmeiband, Langol and along the stretch was highlighted by this paper on June 24.
"The road is riddled with potholes and protruding rocks. It is extremely difficult to travel on this road. Many accidents have occurred causing injuries to commuters," said a local of Thangmeiband.
The road is a vital connectivity for locals as well as people seeking medical care. The President's Rule administration and the State's Public Works Department have failed the people, he added.
The Public Works Department is currently engaged in construction of major projects such as the Imphal Ring Road and rigid pavements in and around Imphal city.
While many other infrastructure development projects are also being implemented, the Government and the Public Works Department have unfortunately neglected this vital road, connecting Imphal with Langol, where several of the most important hospitals are situated, said the local.
Though it is located not far from Imphal city, the road as well as the plight of the locals have been neglected, said several residents.
The Public Works Department should reconstruct the road as soon as possible. If it is kept neglected, locals of Thangmeiband and along the road may launch intense stirs, they said.
The Government and its relevant authorities must not wait for the public to raise the issue and launch a stir. It is the duty of the administration to proactively address public grievances without the need for people to raise the issues and make demands, they added.