Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, July 19:
The villagers of Wahong and Soraphung in Ukhrul district situated on the border of Nagaland and Myanmar, have expressed profound dissatisfaction with the stalled Kharasom to Wahong-Shoraphung road project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Despite the project’s commencement in 2019 and a completion target that has long since expired, the road remains in a deplorable condition, causing significant hardship for the villagers.
Located 135 kilometers from the Ukhrul headquarters, Wahong and Shoraphung are dependent on this critical infrastructure. Speaking to media persons today at Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) office in Wino Bazaar, village leaders voiced their frustrations and outlined the severity of the situation. Eno Pomi Zimik, the secretary of Wahong village, highlighted the persistent negligence and corruption exhibited by the concerned authorities and the responsible agency, M/S SN Pavei.
Zimik detailed that the PMGSY package was designed to cover a 15-kilometer stretch of road connecting three adjoining villages. The project included the construction of nine culverts, 15 retaining walls, and nine breast walls at a cost of approximately Rs. 528.93 lakhs. Despite these provisions and the passing of the project deadline, actual work on the road has barely progressed.
“The poor villagers are facing untold hardships due to the lack of proper road connectivity,” Zimik stated. “We have approached and apprised the concerned Minister and submitted representations on two occasions, but our pleas have continued to go unheeded for too long.”
The press conference was attended by several notable figures, including Qr. Meliba Lasuh (Horam), Chairman of Wahong village, Eno Paomi Khaveishang, President of RKL, and other village authorities. The collective sentiment was one of frustration and a call to action against the failing work agency and the neglectful authorities.
The villagers disclosed that a joint survey revealed only a minimal portion of the road had been carpeted without proper black topping, singling, or the use of necessary machinery like rollers. This negligence has left the road in a state far from the specifications outlined in the project plan.
According to the project specifications, the road was to include a 200 mm thick granular sub-base, a 75 mm thick maintained layer or Water Bound Macadam (WBM), and a 20 mm thick bituminous layer with prime coat, track coat, and seal coat. However, these standards have not been met. “Instead of following the detailed specifications, some portions of the road were randomly painted with bituminous material,” Mariba, a village representative, charged.
The villagers’ patience has worn thin, and their dissatisfaction is palpable. They issued a stern warning: if the work agency fails to complete the project in a timely manner, the border villagers, in coordination with RKL and the Northern Raphei Students’ Union (NRSU), will take their own course of action without further warning.
This situation underscores a broader issue of infrastructural neglect and the severe impact it has on rural communities. Roads are not merely paths; they are lifelines that connect villages to essential services, markets, and opportunities. The delay in completing the Kharasom to Wahong-Shoraphung road has not only hindered mobility but has also stunted economic and social development in these villages.
The lackadaisical attitude of the responsible authorities and the evident corruption within the executing agency reflect a systemic problem that requires urgent attention. Accountability and transparency are crucial in ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and that developmental projects reach their intended beneficiaries.
For the villagers of Wahong and Shoraphung, the road represents more than just a means of transportation; it symbolizes a promise of progress and connectivity that has yet to be fulfilled. Their call to action through media platforms highlights a desperate plea for intervention and justice.
As the villagers await a response from the authorities, their plight serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by rural communities in India. It is imperative that the responsible bodies address these grievances promptly and ensure the completion of the road to alleviate the suffering of the border villages. Only through such measures can trust be restored and the fundamental right to basic infrastructure be upheld for these marginalized communities.
