Placeholder canvas
 
Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

8 months

This 24-Year-Old Is Trying to Repair a Long-Forgotten Road in Her Remote Manipur Hometown

Pamkhuila Shaiza is a 24-year-old trying to rebuild a battered road in her hometown of Ukhrul in Manipur.

This 24-Year-Old Is Trying to Repair a Long-Forgotten Road in Her Remote Manipur Hometown

Pamkhuila Shaiza is a 24-year-old trying to rebuild a battered road in her hometown of Ukhrul in Manipur.

“It was last in the late 1970’s that the service road in the Ukhrul district of Manipur saw any kind of construction work. Since then, the quality of the road has been deteriorating up to a point that now it feels like there never was a road here,” says an anguished Pamkhuila Shaiza.

It is after 15 years that the resident of Ukhrul has returned to her hometown, only to find not just a lack of, but complete regression in infrastructure.

Pamkhuila is trying to rebuild the Ukhrul Service Road

Pamkhuila studied in different schools and colleges before completing her Masters in history from Delhi University. She is now preparing to pursue her PhD in anthropology in London, and came back for a whiff of her hometown before moving aboard. She was welcomed by the road leading to her home in complete disrepair. Now, she has taken up the mission to rebuild the road before she leaves for London in two months’ time.

“I was shocked at the state of the road. I am unable to walk even for half an hour without catching cold or fever from the dust during summer; or without waddling through water-logged puddles and drainage waste during the rains. I guess this goes for many or all members of the Tangkhul community that reside here in Ukhrul Headquarters,” she says.

Among many other issues in the neighbourhood like the absence of running tap water, intermittent supply of electricity, and abject poverty, Pamkhuila is trying to solve the one problem she can before leaving. The idea came to her from a recent example from Tamenlong district, where the community constructed the road that connected the states of Assam and Manipur with inspiration from an IAS officer.


Also read: Roads Made of Plastic Waste in India? Yes! Meet the Professor Who Pioneered the Technique.


Pamkhuila was impressed by the story, and the thought of taking action instead of waiting for the government appealed to her. Therefore, she decided to crowdfund the money needed for the construction of the road.

The surface road was built between 1977 and 1979 when Yangmaso Shaiza was chief minister. Since then, the condition of the road has been deteriorating, owing to the extreme climatic conditions of the region, especially heavy rainfall.

“General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) of the Border Road Organization (BRO) had taken the responsibility of constructing the road in Ukhrul District. But no efforts have been made to construct the road, and the district is now engulfed in dust from the road in the summer. Some efforts were made by individual activists and organisations to improve the road, but the work never made any headway,” Pamkhuila informs.

The population of the Ukhrul district is around 2 lakh, with the majority of people residing in the Ukhrul headquarter. Construction of the surface road will ensure better connectivity, improved transport as well as faster and smoother commute.

“The project is to construct the 6.4 km road for which the estimated cost is Rs 2 Crore. I intend to approach Manipur Road Construction or Assam Road Construction companies for renting the required equipment and the local Tangkhuls to volunteer for the construction purpose. I feel that it’s my personal responsibility to better my homeland and I am simply trying to do that here,” she says.


Also read: They Waited for Years for a Road, Now these Determined Villagers Are Building One Themselves


To contribute to the fundraiser, click here.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More


We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.

Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image
Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement