IDOS Samurou supports Mayai Lambi bandh, urges action against negligent PWD officials

While extending its support to the bandh called along Mayai Lambi (NH-137A) by the Mayai Lambi Apunba Lup (MALAL) on October 17, the Initiative and Development Organisation, Samurou (IDOS) has urged the Public Works Department (PWD) to blacklist contractors who have allegedly attempted to withdraw bills without completing the road construction work.
In a statement issued by Okendro Heinam, Secretary of IDOS Samurou, the organisation criticised the PWD for its negligence and failure to address the worsening condition of the Mayai Lambi road, which remains in a dilapidated state riddled with potholes. The bandh, the organisation noted, is being observed to protest the authorities’ failure to meet the long-standing demand for proper road repair.
The statement further alleged that the PWD engineers remained inactive until public outrage erupted, which, according to IDOS, reflects the department’s “perfect example of corruption.” It recalled that after protests at Pishum and Keishamthong, the department only undertook temporary and superficial repairs before halting the work again.
IDOS and MALAL had repeatedly warned that the public would resort to road blockades if the department failed to complete the construction before the Ningol Chakkouba Festival, a major local celebration. However, instead of responding to the grievances, the PWD allegedly attempted to “fool the public” by carrying out minor patchwork in front of the CRPF camp at Mongshangei, the organisation said.
The statement also accused the department of compromising on quality standards in the ongoing repair work, stressing that people are demanding complete reconstruction of the Mayai Lambi road rather than piecemeal maintenance.