Imphal: Monsoon rains have crippled Ukhrul. Streets are now dangerous pits of mud and slush. Commuters and schoolchildren battle hazardous craters every single day. Clothes get soiled and accidents happen constantly. Public patience is fading fast.
Angry youths now threaten democratic protests. They see no work being done. A visit to the local Public Works Department office revealed the extent of the rot. The building sits empty and silent. It lacks even a proper signboard to identify the office.
Staff presence is a myth. The office counts 19 employees on paper, but only a peon and a multitasking worker show up. Executive Engineer Mathew Konmei and Assistant Engineer Shivas Khoirakpam rarely step foot in the district headquarters. They operate from Imphal instead. A multitasking employee told this reporter, "The Executive Engineer (in-charge), Mathew Konmei, has been operating mainly from Imphal and has reportedly visited the Ukhrul office only a few times since assuming charge in April."
The town features 28 localities, while Hungpung houses over 20. The nine-kilometre main road is failing. Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah claims he is fighting for repairs. He notes that contractors who blacktopped eight roads three years ago still await payment. This debt halts further maintenance. Muivah says the Manipur Government proposed a 20 crore project under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme. He alleges officials diverted that funding to a valley district instead.
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