PWD help sought to patch up potholes

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 23 : Khundrakpam Kendra Development Committee has sought the help of the Public Works Department in their ongoing initiative to patch up the potholes along Imphal-Saikul Road.
Speaking to the press at the quarters of Thokchom Lokeshwar, MLA, Khundrakpam AC at Babupara today, Nongthombam Dijen Singh, spokesperson of the Committee stressed on the poor condition of the vital Imphal-Saikul Road which passes through Pangei, Khundrakpam, Yumnam Khunou, Sagolmang and Pukhao.
The road is scattered with potholes which get filled with water during the rainy season making the road slippery and muddy. During the summer, dust gathers and inconveniences regular commuters including daily wagers and school and college students.
He added that the road has remained unrepaired despite repeated appeals from the people including the Khundrakpam AC MLA who brought up the matter in the State Assembly. Despite receiving assurances from the Minister concerned, the Imphal-Saikul Road remains neglected, he said.
On July 15, Committee representatives met Public Works Department Chief Engineer Ningombam Subash to discuss the issue.
According to the Chief Engineer, the Department has applied for a scheme project and the Government will sanction the funding within 1/2 months, after which proper road repair work will begin promptly.
In response, the Committee urged the Chief Engineer to at least repair the potholes along the Imphal-Saikul Road in the meantime.
He asked them to wait for three/four days while the Department seeks the permission of the Government to carry out the requested maintenance work.
As the Department failed to patch the potholes by the given time, the Committee along with representatives of autorickshaw association from Khundrakpam, local clubs, organisations and meira paibis came together to fix the potholes from July 20 under the supervision of MLA Th Lokeshwar.  
Nongthombam Dijen Singh has thus sought the help of the PWD in the ongoing repair of the potholes which will allow the public to use the road for another year or two as they wait for the necessary funding to be approved for full-fledged renovation of the Imphal-Saikul Road.