IMPHAL, October 30: Hectic work has begun along the Imphal-Moreh highway to repair the stretches badly affected by the recent incessant rains and landslides before the Manipur Sangai Festival which is slated to begin from November 30.
IFP conducted a follow up inspection today of an earlier inspection conducted on October 21 of the damaged highway portion.
The worst portions of the 109 km long Imphal-Moreh highway are found in two stretches before reaching Tengnoupal.
The State Public Works Department has divided the damaged stretch of the highway into three portions and hectic work to repair the same has already begun since some days back.
At the two worst affected portions where the road has sunk, new road surfaces are being constructed by cutting into the hill slopes using proclain, JCB and bull dozers.
The earth and piled up from cutting the hill slope are being pushed down the gorge using JCB and bull dozer to level the road surface.
Once the earth is cleared by the heavy machineries, vehicles including those of security forces, passenger vehicles and private stranded on both sides are allowed passages.
Workers at the site told IFP that their intention is to complete the repairing work ahead of the Sangai Festival.
However, since a new road surface is being constructed by cutting into the hill slopes, even if the construction work is completed, the blacktopping would not be possible before the festival, they added.
They are however trying to atleast complete the laying of WBM ahead of the festival, the workers continued.
They further commented that if the weather allows and it doesn`™t rain, they will be able to meet the deadline.