Home » Mirage over the horizon

Mirage over the horizon

by IT Web Admin
0 comment 3 minutes read

Progress and development are inherent rights of every human, and even when the most reluctant of authorities take a benign interest on the various necessary and essential efforts and services, the march towards development cannot be halted permanently, although there will possibly be instances where negative impacts have been felt. The present conflicts and political crisis in the middle- east and Africa are instances that once again drive the point home. Closer home, things aren’t as rosy and cheerful as it is made out to be. The undercurrents of intolerance and inefficiency has been a constant threat to the efforts and attempts to steer the country forward where inclusive progress and developmental efforts are given precedence over religious superiority or social and financial hierarchy. Back home, things are still more complicated and confusing than ever before. On the one hand, claims of serious intents towards progress are being lauded and trumpeted as if the very proposal is as good as its achievement, while on the other, the very social fabric that has hitherto kept the diverse and often conflicting communities together has started to fray, raising serious concerns about an outbreak of confrontations and violent hostilities amongst the coexisting indigenous groups and communities which will definitely drag the state back further from the rest of the world and civilization. Yet there are lights at the end of the tunnels, literally. The construction of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line- one of the most challenging projects by any standard- is slowly but surely inching towards completion. The opportunities and relief this will provide the
people of the alienated state will be enormous. Meanwhile, the trial run for the Imphal-Mandalay bus service is also drawing to a successful closure and if things go according to plan, the people from the two regions can hope to travel and commence trade in as early as a year. The two projects, amongst the many being envisaged or are currently in operation in the state are being followed with heightened anticipation by the people, prominently because they represents the aspirations of the people to explore places and discover cultures and experience different ways of life- an opportunity which has long been hard to avail owing to the unfavourable geographical, political and social conditions. The sense of euphoria and optimism should however be tinged with caution and restraint. Things which would have done immense good for the people if allowed to progress without the inexplicable delays and obstructions have turned out to be reasons for protests and agitations. It would not be an exaggeration to state that the public has become acutely cynical and suspicious of the development projects being carried out in the state, and with valid reasons. Half-hearted efforts, shoddy and unregulated workmanship, frequent cost over-runs and behind- schedule works, dubious quality of materials and management are some of the more common occurrences in the state in all spheres of public works. As happened enough times in the past, the expectant wait might very well turn out to be a mirage on the horizon unless we stay alert and ready to voice our concerns at the slightest hint of foul play.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

ABOUT US

Imphal Times is a daily English newspaper published in Imphal and is registered with Registrar of the Newspapers for India with Regd. No MANENG/2013/51092

FOLLOW US ON IG

©2023 – All Right Reserved. Designed and Hosted by eManipur!

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.