Close on the heels of amicable settlement of compensation issues, construction works for the proposed expansion of NH-202 from Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner in Ukhrul district, have got into full gear from 29 October onwards.
The settlement of compensation issues was reportedly brought about after an official meeting of the chiefs of the affected villages with Ukhrul DC Joseph Pauline at the latter’s office chamber on October 28, during which the district administrator assured the affected villages of early disbursement of compensation.
To formally mark settlement of the existing land disputes related to the national highway project, the chiefs of affected villages Zalenbung, Lamlai Chingphei, Mongkot Chipu, Sangkai and Litan Sareikhong villages held a meeting at Mahadev tri-junction on 29 October. The village chiefs unanimously resolved to give way to the project in the larger interest of the public.
Earlier in September, the agency namely, Rajasthan-based Varaha Infra Limited (VIL) with state-based Meitram Construction Pvt Ltd (MCPL) as its sub-contractor, had commenced the construction works as per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 10 February, 2020.
However, the works were brought to a grinding halt after several affected villages along the stretch had raised objection to the project over the matter of compensation.
As per the MoU, restoration and rehabilitation of road from km. 134/00 to km. 202/00 (Length =68.00) on NH102A i/c protection/side slope works by retaining wall etc. at essential places and 50 numbers of HP culverts is to be undertaken on Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) mode in the state of Manipur.
It is learnt that the proposed national highway expansion project consists of two parts in the form of Packages I and II. Under NH 202 Package I, widening /improvement to two-lane with earthen shoulder of Yaingangpokpi-Finch Corner section from 0.00 km to 16.90 km is to be undertaken at a total cost of Rs. 237.39 crore, while the same specifications of works along the highway stretch from 16.90 km to 30.970 km is to be executed at a cost of Rs. 241.42 crore under NH 202 Package II.