Imphal: The Hongbei to Ramva road acts as a vital artery for 11 Tangkhul Naga villages. It connects the Imphal to Ukhrul road with the route to Kamjong. Decades of neglect have left the surface shredded. It is barely passable for local traffic.
This route carries extra weight now. Blockades on NH-202 at Shangkai and Litan forced travelers onto this crumbling path. A trip of just 58 kilometers took over four hours on June 18. Locals fear the monsoon will make it impossible to traverse.
Former MLA Victor Keishing noted the road project traces back to a 2000 proposal by his father, Rishang Keishing. Oversight now falls under Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and the Rural Development department. Responsibility for maintenance is currently split between MLA Leishiyo Keishing, BJP Vice President Hopingson Shimray, and MLA Ram Muivah.
Leishiyo Keishing’s office claims a private contractor handles repairs through a standard tender. Shimray oversees an 18-kilometer stretch from Shingkap to Lungphu but states the exact budget remains unclear. Shimray added, "MLAs are entitled to Rs 2 crore each for local area development."
The Tangkhul Naga Aze Long recently stepped in to fill the gap. The group now collects a road maintenance fee from commercial drivers. Heavy trucks pay 500 rupees while smaller vehicles pay 200 rupees. Authorities face mounting pressure to upgrade the path and stop the rot.
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