Manipur: Locals raise Rs 8 lakh to construct 2-km road in Ukhrul

Ukhrul: After years of neglect by the state government, locals in Ukhrul district of Manipur decided to shell out their own money amounting to around Rs 8 lakh and constructed a 2-km approach road with shingling and water bound macadam (WBM) methodology. This was done without taking any help from the government, said the locals.

With the onset of rainfall, an internal road connecting to Vashimtang locality at Hungpung village from Imphal to Ukhrul road on National Highway 202 had remained in a dilapidated condition for years, making the lives of families of at least 100 households residing at the locality miserable.

According to the locals, despite several appeals to the authorities concerned for help, the government remained indifferent to their request.

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Fed up with the authorities apathy, residents of Vashimtang locality constructed the road with their own resources and voluntary labour.

Speaking with EastMojo, sub-headman of Hungpung village Vareingam Vashim said that locals depend on the internal road connecting to the highway mainly for vehicular movement but during monsoon, it becomes unusable due to slush and potholes.

For the last three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019, we had requested the state government to construct the road but our petitions did not materialise. That is why we decided to pool money and constructed the road, he added.

The revenue generated from pooled funds were used to hire two trucks for transporting stones and other materials used at the road construction.

As per the locals, it took them at least three days to complete the motorable road. Locals are now happy that at least their long years of desperation to have a good road could see a new lease of life despite the road remaining without a black topping.

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