Goods laden trucks stranded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11 2011:
On account of the ongoing general strike and economic blockade on the National Highways, around 250 loaded trucks are stranded between Mao and Senapati.
With both their supplies and money running out, the stranded transporters are facing extreme difficulties.
Compounding their woes, many of them have fallen ill.
Many of these vehicles were heading for Imphal before the blockade came into force.
However, they could not reach Imphal before the blockade began.
As such, they remain stranded since the last 11/12 days on the highway.
Some of their loads consisting of edible items have now become stale and rotten.
Even as the drivers have been enduring extreme difficulties, collection of 'taxes' on the highway continues as usual, conveyed some of the stranded transporters.
They appealed to the Government to provide adequate security for escorting them till Imphal as well for empty vehicles leaving Imphal to bring commodities from outside the State.
Being a single-lane highway, it is very difficult for drivers to negotiate their vehicles with vehicles coming from the opposite direction on Jessami-Ukhrul road.
Moreover, the road is too risky for heavy vehicles, they said.
Conveying that a landslide at Maram has aggravated the condition of the highway, the transporters lamented that the State Government has been paying little attention after it took responsibility for the said highway stretch from Maram.
Moreover, around 400 loaded trucks are being stranded in Lahorijan, Assam.
They are being charged Rs 50 to Rs 100 as parking fee per day.
This is only multiplying the woes of the stranded transporters.