Phom Student’s Conference (PSC) has demanded immediate resumption of works on two lane Longleng-Changtongya, Mon-Tamlu-Merangkong road under SARDP(NE), which had been completely abandoned by Maytas-Gayatri (JV).
In a press release, PSC president Hongkam D. Ngonyen and general secretary Lungchem Phom said the company had abandoned the road in a deplorable condition, exploiting the people economically and draining crores of rupees from the district.
PSC said JV took over the construction in 2011 and was to be completed this current year. However, PSC said after a brief construction, the company abandoned the construction and kept “unattended” for the past three years on the pretext of revising the budget estimate followed by court case.
On account of deplorable road condition, PSC said there had been tremendous artificial rise in price of essential commodities and fares in public transportation seriously affected the economy.
PSC said people of the district have been compelled to maintain the road by themselves voluntarily sacrificing their energy, time and resources through various contributions from several stakeholders.
Since several NGO bodies- PPC, PSC, drivers union, chamber of commerce, Church bodies etc have spent huge sum of money, PSU questioned whether the company/government/department would be able to refund their money and resources?
The signatories pointed out that the deplorable and inaccessible road condition resulted out of negligence on the part of the state government and the company concerned.
PSC said the problems had been highlighted on many occasions, but state government had turned a blind eye. It, therefore, questioned the responsibility of the state government particularly the chief minister and minister, National Highway for remaining silent when some of the districts cut off and deprived of their sole lifeline.
Further, PSC asserted it had always maintained “tolerant attitude” and for which any sorts of counter action between the responsible authority and the people of the district averted.
To this, it reminded the concerned company not to take advantage of the peace loving people, but understand the sentiments and difficulties faced by the people before the issue flared up.
PSC, therefore, warned concerned company/government/department that they would be held solely responsible for any untoward outcomes that may arise on the necessary steps initiated by the people in securing their rights.