IT News
Imphal, Nov 13:
Tamenglong Village Tamenglong/ Students’ Federation (TVSF) has strongly opposed the district administration over its attempt to construct the Tamenglong –Haflong Highway with a new alignment by leaving aside the ‘Gupta Alignment’ which was already agreed upon since the initiation of the project to make the starting point of the project at Old Tamenglong.
The TVSF, while submitting a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Manipur had elaborated for the reason to consider the old alignment (Gupta Alignment) and intimidated of dire consequences if the voice of the people are not listened and play delay tactics to consider the new alignment for the construction of the road.
The memorandum submitted to the Chief Secretary , signed by Gailinlung R.Panmei, Convenor, Tamenglong Village (Inriangluang) Students’ Federation (TVSF), Tamenglong, Manipur stated that, the starting point (0 point), of the highway should be at Old Tamenglong as previously agreed under ‘Gupta Alignment’ since the initiation of the project Moreover, Tamenglong Village along with other villages have given NOC to the claim for compensation with the idea that the highway will bring connectivity However, as per the new proposed alignment, the highway skins through the villages without crossing through intended areas The starting point of the highway should remain at Old Tamenglong as previously agreed
It said that since1990s there has been two alignments proposed and taken up for the said highway. Vast amount of cultivable lands, farms and forests have been destroyed in the course of work carried out for the two alignments. It amounts to further deterioration of environment and lose of cultivable land to take up mud culling and moving in a totally new alignment. Thus, the old alignment should be followed
The memorandum also stated that the District Administration in its defence for the new alignment stated that the starting point and the ending point of a National Highway have to be connected to a National Highway. There are no such regulations in relation to construction of National Highway; it is a flimsy excuse to confuse the people. The implementing agency should come out with a clarification regarding this Issue.
The Tamenglong – Haflong Highway, if constructed along the Old Alignment i.e. Gupta Alignment, the most feasible alignment with the starting point at Old Tamenglong will act as a major art, for more than Twenty two villages in relation to trade, commerce and tourism. The Highway along the Old Alignment will also serve as a route to the ‘Mystical Zeilad Lake’ and the ‘Majestic AhuKlunduang (Barak Waterfall)’, two popular tourist spots which are not fully developed to its full potential due to lack of proper road and connectivity.
While stating that the people of Tamenglong have no obligation in donating land for taking up welfare programme , TVSF stated that the new alignment as proposed by the District Administration had been rejected back in 1990s by the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) and work was abandoned, as the gradient was not suitable for the construction of a highway.
It also added that the District Administration sought NOC from the villages with the promise that the highway will not pass through the respective villages, if an NOC is not given by the respective village authority, However, on issuance of the NOC by the villages in good faith and trust that the old alignment i.e. ‘Gupta Alignment’ will be followed, the district administration proposed and forced upon a new alignment.
The first two previous alignments had severely destroyed and damaged our properties without adequate compensation. The new alignment proposed by the District administration is against the will of the people and shall be effectively opposed if it proceeds. Moreover, due compensation for the damaged caused upon our farmlands, forest and properties while earth cutting of the first two alignments, shall also be effectively recovered if the new alignment is taken up.
The Tamenglong Village (Inriangluang) Students’ Federation (TVSF), along with the public of Tamenglong appeals to the concern authority to consider the above mention facts and demands in implementing the project without indulging in any delay tactics. Further inactions in regard to the aspirations and demand shall attract strong mass based democratic agitations, for which the Federation will not be held responsible in case of any eventualities. The memorandum said.