Reviews ₹24-crore road works, ₹58-crore water supply project, ₹37-crore Eklavya School and Pettigrew College; blames highway blockades for delays, urges quality execution and timely completion
UKHRUL, Aug. 1: Signalling a renewed push to accelerate development, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah on Thursday conducted a marathon inspection of major infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹119 crore, stressing timely completion, quality construction and the urgent need to end highway blockades that continue to hamper development across the district.
The inspection followed Wednesday’s consultations with the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), frontal organisations, the Superintendent of Police and other stakeholders on key developmental and law-and-order issues.
₹24-Crore Road Project
The MLA inspected the ₹24-crore rigid pavement project covering 31 locations across Ukhrul town. Originally scheduled for completion in June, the project has now been extended until December 2026.
“The contractors have only five months left. The work must be completed within the extended deadline without compromising quality,” Muivah said.
He noted that the project remained stalled for more than a year due to disputes over its execution and has since faced fresh setbacks because of the ongoing blockade and counter-blockade along National Highway-202, which have severely disrupted the transport of construction materials.
Citing a recent incident, he said a contractor diverted supplies through the Kamjong route after the Imphal-Ukhrul highway became inaccessible, but a truck carrying sand and cement plunged into a stream near Shingkap, resulting in heavy losses and further delays.
While acknowledging that contractors were not entirely responsible for the setbacks, Muivah urged the Public Works Department and contractors to maintain high construction standards and, wherever feasible, build rigid pavements from drain to drain for improved durability and drainage.
₹58-Crore Water Supply Scheme
The MLA later reviewed the ₹58-crore Ukhrul Water Supply Project under the New Development Bank (NDB), of which ₹23 crore has been earmarked for Ukhrul headquarters.
The project, awarded in 2021 to a Hyderabad-based firm, remained stalled for nearly three years because of litigation and a High Court stay before work resumed after the legal dispute was resolved.
The scheme will draw water from the Yangyui River, pump it to Choithar, and distribute it by gravity across Ukhrul town. The Public Health Engineering Department is also constructing 44 reservoirs, including elevated tanks at key locations.
Muivah said the contractor has already procured pipelines but cannot transport them because of the continuing highway blockade.
“This remains one of the biggest obstacles affecting every major development project in the district,” he said.
Expressing optimism, he said the August 3 tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the United Naga Council (UNC) and the State Government could help restore normal movement along the highway.
₹37-Crore Eklavya School
The MLA also inspected the ₹37-crore Eklavya Model Residential School at Hunphun Phungthar, expected to be completed by December 2026 and become operational in the next academic session.
Calling the Eklavya Model Residential School one of the country’s most significant educational initiatives for tribal students, Muivah said the institution offers free education, accommodation and boarding.
He, however, expressed disappointment that Ukhrul has received only one such school despite its predominantly tribal population.
“Every tribal development block should have an Eklavya school. Unfortunately, new development blocks cannot be created until after the Census process,” he said.
He added that expanding quality residential education would strengthen educational opportunities for indigenous students and enhance their competitiveness at the national level.
Pettigrew Government College
The inspection concluded at Pettigrew Government College, Meizailung, where the MLA met the Principal, faculty and students before reviewing ongoing infrastructure works and discussing future expansion plans.
Development Must Move Forward
Describing the inspection as part of a renewed effort to closely monitor public infrastructure, Muivah said long-pending projects must be completed without further delay despite challenges posed by highway blockades, legal disputes and logistical constraints.
He maintained that the revival of these projects marks a crucial turning point for Ukhrul’s development and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring quality infrastructure that will benefit the people of the district.
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