DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The Western Sümi Kükami Hoho (WSKH) has questioned the logic behind the realignment of the originally proposed new National Highway connecting Maram in Manipur to Dimapur in Nagaland.
A press release from the WSKH informed that the new highway, numbered as 102C, was declared by the Central Government, starting from its junction with NH-2 near Maram in the state of Manipur connecting Peren, Jalukie, Pimla junction, Razaphe junction and terminating at NH-29 near Dimapur in the state of Nagaland.
However, it informed that through a corrigendum dated June 13, 2014, the number of the said National Highway was changed to NH-129A. The MoRTH entrusted the construction of NH-129A to the NHIDCL, and construction of the road was divided into 5 packages.
“Sometime in the early part of 2021, word began to spread that the alignment of NH-129A was changed at the behest of high functionaries in the state, acting in collusion with officials in the NHIDCL,” it alleged. The state and the NHIDCL have grossly abused the limits of their authority/power. They cannot change the description of NH-129A. The functionaries /officials responsible therefore are guilty of misfeasance/malfeasance, the WSKH claimed.
It said that the new alignment of the NH-129A (Maram- Peren-Dimapur) undertaken by NHIDCL passes through Mhainamtsi, Nkawareu, Kiyevi, Henimgkunglwa and Ngwalwa villages to reach NH29 at 7th mile. It argued that the new alignment is quiet “discriminatory, biased and unjustified.” The proposed project, it claimed, is intentionally undertaken to divert the old route which is much shorter and crosses a total of twelve villages viz. Mhainamtsi, Khehoi, Phushito, Vihuto, Jacob, Zutovi, Pimla, Mhaikam, Disagaphu, Shitovi, Razaphe, Vidima and Shokhuvi villages to reach NH29 at 7th mile.
Further, the WSKH said that the new alignment is about 10 kms longer than the old alignment, and more than ten villages will be at the disadvantage economically and will cause inconvenience to the inhabitants of the above mentioned villages.
While the original alignment proposed by the MoRTH is 23 km, it said that the State Government diverted the alignment and stretched the proposed NH by more than 4 kms and NHIDCL stretched the proposed NH by 10 kms. “What is the purpose behind this? What and how does NHIDCL benefits from this?” it questioned.
Further, the WSKH pointed out that the newly proposed alignment passes through high and deep ridges. “Between 10 kms stretched by NHIDCL, some 6-7kms are within the worst ridges and there are high chances of worse tragedies,” it said.
The WSKH meanwhile said that the alternate route, NH-129A (NH-329A), which is now being used as a diversion following the July 4 road accident, has not been maintained for years. “The alternate route is maintained by the people of the region, with the help of some commuters willing to help,” it informed.
Pointing out that the High Court had ordered the NHIDCL to complete the NH-329A within 3 years, i.e. by November 2024, the WSKH however said that the NHIDCL is neglecting the High Court’s order, and is yet to complete the work.
“NHIDCL shall be held responsible for the diversion of the proposed NH which will be hazardous in the future and the socio-economic benefits which will be deprived,” it stated, and asked concerned NGOs, CSOs and Hohos to take the matter seriously and if possible undertake on-spot verification of the newly proposed NH-129A alignment.
