Ukhrul, September 25: Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah inspected the deteriorating condition of National Highway-202 (NH-202) between Yaingangpokpi and Lunghar on September 23 and 24, raising serious concerns over the prolonged delay in construction and the condition of the highway.
The inspection was undertaken along a roughly 100-km stretch of NH-202, with the MLA accompanied by NHIDCL officials, including DGM Shri Prabal Das on September 23 and Shri Ravi Ranjan and other NHIDCL engineers on September 24.
In a letter dated September 25 addressed to NHIDCL Executive Director Sandosh Rai, Muivah said the inspection revealed that the highway was in a “terrible shape”, citing serious complaints received from people living along the road.
According to the MLA, the contractor for the Yaingangpokpi–Lunghar sector, identified in the letter as Ganapati from Rajasthan, appeared to have abandoned the work. He said that throughout the approximately 100-km stretch, there was no manpower deployed for road construction and no visible effort to clear landslides or address sinking zones.
“The NH 202 appears to be completely abandoned,” the letter stated, adding that NHIDCL engineers had reportedly informed him that the contractor had submitted foreclosure of the project without completion.
Muivah urged NHIDCL to resolve the matter and resume construction without further delay, stressing that NH-202 is the only lifeline of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and is critically important to Manipur.
Lunghar land compensation and bypass issues
During the inspection, the Lunghar Village Authority also submitted a memorandum highlighting issues concerning the proposed bypass and land compensation.
The MLA said villagers were willing to accept the fourth option under the latest survey conducted by the NHIDCL consultant for the proposed NH-202 bypass.
The affected landowners, according to the memorandum cited in the letter, were also agreeable to accept compensation based on the 2024 Joint Physical Measurement conducted by the Revenue Department.
The Lunghar Village Authority further stated that NH-202 covers approximately 14 km within Lunghar jurisdiction. Of this, there is reportedly no dispute over around 11.5 km, while the remaining 3.5 km connected with the bypass remains unresolved.
Muivah said the affected landowners were ready to accept compensation for the undisputed 11.5-km portion based on the 2024 Joint Physical Measurement, pending settlement of the remaining bypass-related issue.
He requested the NHIDCL Executive Director to take appropriate action at the earliest in the interest of public service and to ensure that work on the vital highway resumes.
The inspection takes place against the backdrop of persistent concerns regarding construction delays and the condition of NH-202 in Ukhrul. According to NHIDCL project records, work remains incomplete on several stretches of the Yaingangpokpi–Finch Corner section, with the Finch Corner–Ukhrul section also witnessing delays.
In August, Muivah had also approached the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, urging action over the poor condition of NH-202 and NH-102A. Reports said the Union government subsequently instructed that the two highways be given priority attention.
The latest inspection has once again brought the long-standing condition of NH-202 and the need for timely resolution of construction and land-related issues into focus.
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