Volunteers and SAYO members undertaking road repair works along the NH2 stretch from Phesama-Khuzama village on July 25. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 25
Concerned over the deplorable condition of the National Highway in the region, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) on Monday took up a mission to repair the 26 kilometres stretch to ease the hardships of commuters.
As part of the mission, work commenced from Phesama Village on Monday morning as local youths filled up potholes with assistance of SAYO executive members, four dumper trucks and four excavators that were contributed by the executive members, SAYO President Metekhrielie Mejura told media persons.
Throughout the day, the volunteers and SAYO members filled up potholes, cleared drainages and mudslides along the NH-2 stretch from Phesama-Khuzama Village which connects to other villages and districts and serves as a lifeline of Manipur.
Mejura informed that the organisation took up the voluntary task to ease public hardships as the condition of the road has further been hampered due to incessant rainfall. He further appealed the NHIDCL to complete the work in a timely manner with quality workmanship.
Meanwhile, SDO (Civil) of Jakhama, Ruopfukuotuo, who was present at the site, lauded the SAYO team for taking up the initiative and said that the organisation was expressing their concern and grievances not in aggressive ways but through constructive gestures.
Speaking to media persons, he said the condition of the road was a concern for all. He said that the Administration is doing everything to impress upon the NHIDCL to expedite the works. However, till now, he pointed out that it was not very satisfactory. Despite this, Ruopfukuotuo said that the administration is conducting inspection and meeting the concerned parties for completing the work in stipulated time.
Mention may be made that the SAYO had issued an ultimatum to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in February this year stating that the stretch of the road seems to have been neglected for an extended period.
The ultimatum recalled that “the repairing work and construction of roads were being undertaken in the month of November, 2021, just before the annual International Hornbill Festival. But the preceding stretch was halted after the event commenced and till date no work was sighted further.”
The judiciary also took cognisance of the road condition and the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench filed a Sou Moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against parties including the NHIDCL, the M/S Fortune Group among others in March, 2022.
