PWD minister Tongpang Ozüküm inspected the ongoing construction and repair of roads at Longleng on Wednesday. According to a press release from PS to the minister, Ozüküm was accompanied by executive engineer Longleng, junior engineer Housing & Mechanical Longleng, the DC, the ADC, and other public and government officials.
On his arrival, Ozüküm was received by executive engineer S.B. Angh and his colleagues. The team then inspected the foot roads under repair in the district headquarters and also visited roads marked for repair and maintenance.
Engineer S B Angh, who was part of the inspection team, pointed out that Longleng division has around 12 important roads, out of which, 3 main roads inspected on Wednesday were marked on priority considering public convenience. The roads include the main town road, Medical Road, and the road leading to DC Bungalow and its area, all of which are under repair.
S B Angh further said that the government allotted Rs. 1 crore for Longleng division, out of which around 1.3 kilometres blacktopping of not less than a minimum of 20 feet road width is being completed and the rest are to be completed shortly.
Clarifying doubts, minister Tongpang informed the public that present projects taken up for improvement of town roads were mainly to fill up potholes. He however said that apart from filling the potholes, his department was trying provide premix bituminous carpeting for roads.
After the inspection, a meeting was held with the department officials, district administration, NGOs, Phom organizations and leaders.
Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC), also appreciated the minister for his attention to the district and submitted a three-point representation to the minister. PPC also requested Ozukum to provide enough funds for maintaining other roads, and the minister assured them of all possible measures to fulfil the demands put forth.
The Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) also apprised PWD minister of the pending Longleng-Pongo road project amounting to Rs. 50 lakh, which was assured during the tenure of the then Roads and Bridges (R&B) minister Vikheho Swu. The Students’ Conference said that the department had sanctioned Rs. 28 lakhs for the said work and the remaining amount of Rs. 22 lakh is yet to be sanctioned.
Earlier, the Executive Engineer Longleng, S B Angh pointed out that in 2008-09, the present Medical minister, S. Pangnyu Phom initiated some road development under Rural Development BRGF program, after which no funds were provided for road repairs for almost 10 years. Due to this, about 2.2 kms of road within the main town was badly damaged. S B Angh assured the department of full support and said that the department and public of Longleng town were grateful to the state government and the concerned minister for looking into the development of the district.
He expressed his gratitude that a minister personally oversaw the road development in over a decade and also said that the minister had assured additional funds should the need arise.