The Western Sümi Kükami Hoho (WSKH) has expressed apprehension over the blame game among the authorities concerned following the July 4 tragedy on the Chümoukedima-Jharnapai (Pagala Pahar) stretch of national highway-29.
In a communiqué, hoho president Phushito Ayemi and general secretary Kughato Awomi alleged that before the tragedy, the concern of the authorities was elsewhere and were now showing concern for the safety of the citizen by shedding crocodile tears.
They also accused the authorities of diverting traffic through an alternate route – NH-129A (NH-329A) – without knowing the facts and ground reality. They alleged that the route was neglected for years and hence was unsafe for commuters.
They recalled that the Central government had declared a new national highway connecting Maram in Manipur to Dimapur and numbered it 102C. By a corrigendum on June 13, 2014, the number of the NH was changed to NH-129A.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India (MoRTH) entrusted the construction of NH-129A to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). The construction of the road was divided into five packages, viz, packages I, II, III, IV and V. Then, sometime in the early part of 2021, word began to spread that the alignment of NH-129A was changed at the behest of high functionaries in the State and in collusion with NHIDCL officials. Representations were submitted and civil society organisations (CSOs) also protested.
The WSKH leaders accused the State and NHIDCL of having grossly abused the limits of their power, asserting that they could not change the description of NH-129A. They said the officials responsible were guilty of misfeasance/malfeasance, alleging that their action to divert NH-129A was purely for personal and vested interests.
They pointed out that the new alignment of NH-129A (Maram- Peren-Dimapur) undertaken by NHIDCL passed through Mhainamtsi, Nkawareu, kiyevi, Henimgkunglwa and Ngwalwa villages to reach NH29 at 7th Mile. They however stated that the new alignment was quite discriminatory, biased and unjustified.
“This proposed project is intentionally undertaken to divert the old route which is much shorter and crosses a total of 12 villages, viz, Mhainamtsi, Khehoi, Phushito, Vihuto, Jacob, Zutovi, Pimla, Mhaikam, Disagaphu, Shitovi, Razaphe, Vidima and Shokhuvi villages to reach NH29 at 7th Mile,” stated the communiqué.
As the new alignment was about 33 km, which was 10 km longer than the old alignment, they claimed that more than 10 villages would be at a disadvantageous position economically and would cause great inconvenience to inhabitants of these villages. They pointed out that two major tribes of Dimapur (Chümoukedim) and Peren districts that used to benefit from the old alignment would now be deprived in many aspects.
They claimed that constructing NH129A through a new route where no village existed would have no social and economic benefit, but would only destroy more flora and fauna. The original alignment proposed by the MoRTH was 23 km, but the State government diverted the alignment and stretched the proposed NH by more than 4 kms, which NHIDCL further stretched by 10 km.
Questioning the purpose behind this and how NHIDCL benefitted, they demanded that both the State government and NHIDCL should clarify to the public on this.
According to the duo, the newly proposed alignment of NH-129A passed through high and deep ridge that was far more dangerous than Pagla Pahar, and that much worse tragedies could happen if works was carried out as per the newly-proposed alignment. They said in the 10-km stretch, around 6-7 km was within the ridge and there were high chances of worse tragedies, coupled with ambush by militants/thieves/kidnappers, etc.
They declared that if in the future worse tragedies were to happen, NHIDCL would be held responsible.
They further alleged that the old NH-129A that was being diverted to NH-329A and was being used as alternate route was neglected and had not been maintained for years. During the monsoon when NH-29 became unsafe, the authorities conveniently diverted the route to NH-329A (NH-129A) and made it inconvenient for the people of the region. The alternate route was maintained by the people with the help of some commuters willing to help.
Recalling that the high court had ordered the NHIDCL to complete the NH-329A within three years, i.e., by November 2024, they accused the corporation of neglecting the court order by yet to complete the work.
The WSKH leaders asserted that NHIDCL would be held responsible for the diversion of the proposed NH that would be hazardous in the future and devoid of socio-economic benefits.
They urged the NGOs, CSOs and hohos concerned to take the matter seriously and, if possible, undertake on-spot verification of the proposed NH-129A alignment.
