After Decades of Isolation, Henglep Finally Linked by Motorable Road

When one talks about Henglep Sub-Division in Churachandpur district, what often comes to mind is how sick persons or expecting mothers were carried on bamboo stretchers to avail medical facilities at the district headquarters. However, with the near completion of the 31-kilometre Thingkeu–Henglep road, all these problems may soon become a thing of the past. Henglep village is located about 81 km away from the district headquarters.

For more than six decades, Henglep has been devoid of developmental works due to the non-existence of road connectivity. This has barred people from the region from accessing basic amenities of life—healthcare, education, and government welfare schemes. The Sub-Divisional Office, Police Station, and Primary Health Centre (PHC) remained non-functional until recently, when the local MLA intervened. Now, the previously non-functional PHC operates with one doctor and two nurses, catering to approximately 100 patients per month. Education in the region is also expected to improve with the laying of the foundation stone of St. Peter’s School on February 10. The school will be run by the Catholic mission.

The 31-km Thingkeu–Henglep road is being constructed by Bharat Infra Private Limited (BIPL) and funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC).

A team of media personnel from the district headquarters, along with the local MLA and the SDO/SDM of Henglep, visited the worksite on February 10 to assess the progress of the road construction and the renovation of the PHC.
The road is now motorable up to Henglep, and black-topping has been completed in most parts. However, side railings and drainage (nullah) construction are yet to be completed.

Upon reaching the Sub-Divisional Headquarters, the media team and the MLA visited the renovated PHC, where one doctor and two nurses are currently stationed. In an interaction with the media, the Medical Officer-in-Charge said that Henglep is a remote area where accessing medical facilities at the district headquarters is difficult. As a result, many people turn to the PHC for emergencies. “We attend to more than 100 patients a month. With only one doctor and two nurses, it is difficult to run the health centre efficiently,” he said, requesting the concerned authorities to requisition more doctors and health workers. The local MLA assured them that the matter would be sorted out at the earliest.
In an effort to uplift the education sector in the area, the local MLA also laid the foundation stone for the construction of St. Peter’s School building, a Catholic-run institution that has already been functioning since the last academic session.
Speaking to media persons, Henglep MLA Letzamang said that before the construction of the road, people had to travel on foot, and it took more than 24 hours to reach Churachandpur from Henglep.

“After completion of the road, it will take less than three hours. Sick and pregnant women were carried on stretchers, which was pitiful. Such things do not happen in other parts of the world,” he said.

The distance between Churachandpur and Henglep is not more than 80 km, yet the area had long been deprived of basic facilities.
“Now that an all-weather road is being constructed, I believe people will be happy, and I am even happier,” he added.

He further said that the path for development has now reached Henglep village, which will soon be at par with other areas and have access to healthcare, education, and other basic needs.
Although the Thingkeu–Henglep road is approximately 31 km long, construction and repair works were delayed due to the ongoing conflict in the state.

The NEC has granted BIPL an extension for completion of the road until March 2026. However, a further extension may be sought if required.

Paolet Haokip, a resident of Henglep village, said that people of Henglep faced difficulties and hardships due to deplorable road conditions over the past decades. “With the initiative of the local MLA and the government, road construction is underway. Even before completion, travelling has become much easier,” he said.

Earlier, people had to spend a night on the road while travelling from Henglep to Churachandpur town, but now the journey takes only around three to four hours.

With improved road connectivity, there will be more development in the village, and agricultural and other local products can be transported and sold outside the area.

Expressing gratitude, Chief of Henglep, Mangtinlal Haokip, said, “On behalf of the people of Henglep area, I express my sincere gratitude to the concerned MLA and BIPL for bringing development to Henglep. The area had been neglected for many decades, but the genuine concern of the local MLA has made this possible.”