The Ringui/Tongou Village Authority on Saturday, 5 September, carried out a spot survey along the inter‑village road (IVR) at Ringui Junction, the point where the road meets the old Imphal-Ukhrul road (via Lamlang Gate) and also connects NH‑202 at New Heavan.
Led by Ringui headman Wungmatem A Shimray, and joined by village representatives and local public leaders, the survey aimed to document the site for a proposed Bailey bridge over the Kongsui River.
Monsoon‑related isolation
Social activist Yangsing Raleng told reporters that the Ringui route is the shortest link for western Ukhrul to Ukhrul town, Kamjong and Imphal. “During the dry season the road is regularly used, but during the rainy season, the lack of a reliable crossing forces commuters onto much longer detours via Lamlang Gate or through Ukhrul town,” he said.
Raleng added that the alternative Tolloi–Mahadev road has become impassable for many since ethnic conflict erupted in February, as it traverses Kuki‑inhabited areas now largely off‑limits to travellers from the region. Consequently, a journey that once took about three hours to Imphal now stretches to roughly six hours, imposing severe hardships on daily commuters, patients and traders.
Strategic importance
He also noted that the Ringui corridor is promoted locally as the shortest route from Imphal towards Tolloi, Tadubi and Dimapur without having to pass through Ukhrul town, underscoring its significance for hill‑district connectivity.
Bridge Proposal
According to Raleng, an RCC bridge over the Kongsui River was first approved in 2010 under the Congress government headed by then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, with an estimated cost of ₹10 crore. The project was later cancelled for reasons known only to the authorities. In 2024, the community renewed the request to the Biren Singh‑led administration, but the proposal stalled amid statewide political instability.
Renewed appeal
“With Yumnam Khemchand Singh now at the helm, we are renewing our appeal,” Raleng said, urging the chief minister and his cabinet to prioritise the construction of a Bailey bridge at the earliest to restore reliable all‑weather access.
Public pressure
Headman Wungmatem A Shimray said mounting public pressure has prompted the Ringui Village Authority to move forward on a war footing. “We decided to follow up the survey with a formal request to the state government for immediate approval and execution of a Bailey bridge over the Kongsui River, which lies about 5 km from Ringui village,” he added.
