KHONSA : Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik on Thursday undertook his first field visit after assuming office, touring remote Indo-Myanmar border villages under Lazu Administrative Circle to review the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) and assess the condition of key road infrastructure.
The DC was accompanied by Lazu ZPM Adv. Najen Rangwang, Assistant Commissioner-cum-Extra Assistant Commissioner (in-charge) Lazu N L Naam, Public Works Department (PWD) engineers Minter Ango and Kijen Ransong, Deputy Development Commissioner (NABARD) Rowncha Wangsu, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engineer Abhishek, Capt. Sumit Sharma of 44 Assam Rifles, Gaon Burahs, Panchayati leaders and representatives of the Noglo Welfare Society.
During the visit, Tawsik inspected the vulnerable Pongkong block point on the Khonsa-Lazu road and reviewed progress on the proposed diversion road from Sanliam village. PWD officials briefed him on the proposed alignment, survey findings and ongoing jungle clearance works. He also inspected the landslide-prone Pongkong stretch, where recurring road blockages frequently disrupt connectivity to the interior border villages.
Expressing concern over the recurring disruptions, the DC directed BRO authorities to keep adequate manpower and machinery on standby to ensure the prompt restoration of traffic whenever landslides occur. He stressed that uninterrupted road connectivity is crucial for the movement of people, transportation of essential commodities, emergency response and the effective delivery of government services in the border region.
Reviewing the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme, Tawsik urged village authorities and residents of Noglo to extend full cooperation to implementing agencies to ensure the timely completion of developmental projects. He said the programme has the potential to transform border villages by improving infrastructure, livelihood opportunities and access to public services.
Responding to public grievances over Aadhaar enrolment, the DC directed the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Lazu, to organise a special Aadhaar biometric enrolment and updation camp for the border villages of Noglo, Upper Chinhan, Lower Chinhan and Lonyen. The initiative is expected to facilitate access to educational admissions, government welfare schemes and other essential public services.
The DC also interacted with village elders, community leaders and residents, assuring them of the district administration’s continued commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving service delivery in the remote border areas.
Residents of Sanliam, Pongkong, Lazu and Noglo welcomed the Deputy Commissioner’s maiden visit to the border villages and expressed hope that it would expedite developmental works, improve road connectivity and help resolve long-pending issues.
They also reaffirmed their support for the successful implementation of projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme. (DIPR)
