IMPHAL, February 15: A three day joint tour led by Minister Works and Transport, Dr Kh Ratan Kumar Singh and including Parliamentary Secretary YAS and Tourism, M Prithiviraj; MLA Tamei Z Kikhonbou and MLA Tamenglong Janghemlung Panmei inspected various development works being undertaken along the Imphal Tamei Road, commonly known as IT Road.
On the first day, the team took the IT Road for Tamei on the sidelines of which, MLA Kikhonbou Newmai said that Tamei constituency has 48 villages with only 10 villages: Tamei, Tama, Langmei, Kabondram, Machengrong, Pandrong, Liangsung, Kanthung, Dikuram and Rianglong having motorable roads under the 7th phase of the PMGSY.
He went on to add that under the 9th PMGSY scheme, about 15 villages will have jeep-able road connectivity.
When the inspecting team reached Chalva village, the Works Minister addressed a public meeting at the building of the Chalva Christian Church and sought public co-operation for undergoing road constructions for quality control and their timely completion.
The team then reached Rianglong village which is situated just a few miles from the neighboring state of Nagaland.
The village of about 2000 population welcomed the dignitaries and showcased their traditional dances.
M Prithiviraj said during the welcome function that the elected legislative members must be sincere towards the people and called for continuing the age long good relationship of the hill and valley people.
After a night halt at Rianglong village, the team led by Minister Works and Transport then proceeded to Illeng Village of Tamei where the Kuilong Area Sports Association (KASA) had organized a function for its 10thSports Meet with the motto of `Unity and Development` which was inaugurated by the Minister of Works.
The team then inspected the Katang bridge. Dr Ratankumar briefed the accompanying media that with the completion of the bridge, the distance to Nagaland will be shortened. Saying that the Katang Bridge on Barak River is very important, he further added bridge construction work which was funded by NEC during 2006 is still lying incomplete due to too many contractors vying for a say in the process. He further said that over and above the allotted fund for the construction of the bridge, his department will pull in another 50 lakhs to complete the remaining work. He said that from now on the work will be assigned to only one contractor and noted that the 400 feet long bridge will be longest Bailey bridge in Manipur and could attract many tourists to the spot.
The last day of the tour saw the inspection of the progress of the constructions for Tamenglong CJM Court, Sports Complex and Mini Secretariat. The Barak Bridge joining Namtiram Tamei Village and L Parbam Part II of Tamenglong was also inaugurated.
It may be mentioned that most villages of Tamei area lacks basic facilities like health care, water, electricity, schools and proper motor able roads with villagers even witnessing untimely deaths due to lack of proper and timely health facilities. Key person of the villages submitted memorandums to the Minister and MLAs to meet their needs and asked for proper infrastructure support for the development of the remote villages of Tamei. Dr Kh Ratan Kumar Singh, Minister Works and Transport and his team assured for better connectivity as a first priority and said that he would forward their demands to the concerned departments.
