SENAPATI, April 22: Ngamju Village Authority Council has appealed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, to urgently intervene in reviving the long-abandoned Senapati–Phaibung Road construction project.

In a letter submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati, the Village Authority Council highlights the dire need for infrastructural development in one of the most backward and remote regions of Manipur.

The council’s letter, underlines the neglected state of the road project which was originally sanctioned on November 1, 2001, under the Prime Minister’s special developmental package for backward regions. The project, identified by sanction number 11/2/2001-NFSC (Vol-II), was to be implemented under a 90:10 funding ratio between the Central and State Governments.

The 128.90-km Senapati–Phaibung Road was envisioned to connect National Highway No. 2 at TNK Senapati Village in the south, extending up to the Tadubi–Ukhrul road at Phaibung Khullen village. The construction was assigned to the 25 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) / 84 Road Construction Company (RCC), yet, after more than two decades, the road remains incomplete with no visible progress or even basic repairs conducted to date.

The Ngamju Village Authority expressed particular concern over the complete lack of formation cutting for a 1-km stretch passing through Ngamju village. Moreover, two Bailey Bridges constructed over the Iril and Voree Rivers in the area are now in critical condition due to a total absence of maintenance since their completion.

The letter recalled the villagers’ wholehearted cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which they supported BRTF officials and migrant laborers. Despite this, multiple appeals to the concerned officials of the 25 BRTF/84 RCC to resume and complete the project have yielded no response, with authorities reportedly turning a deaf ear to their pleas.

Highlighting the strategic and humanitarian importance of the road, the Village Authority emphasized its role in improving connectivity for numerous underserved and remote settlements across Senapati and Ukhrul districts. The appeal concludes with a heartfelt request to the Hon’ble Governor to ensure immediate resumption and completion of the road construction for the greater good of the region’s most marginalized communities.

The Ngamju Village Authority Council affirmed that any action taken in this regard would be met with deep gratitude and lasting indebtedness from the villagers.