State asked to systematise NH-53 traffic
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2010: To facilitate regular flow of vehicular movement along the Imphal-Jiribam section of National highway-53 that would replenish food stock requirement of the State, the Central Govt has reportedly asked State authorities to work out a specific 'traffic system' on this route.

An informed source confided that Union Cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar has made a formal representation to the Government of Manipur to chalk up and implement a viable 'traffic system' so as to minimise existing impediments that hamper transportation of essential commodities, particularly diesel/petrol and LPG carriers.

A roller engaged in repairing of NH-53 along which vehicular movement would be regularised

In the Secretary's missive, the State Govt has been asked to streamline movement of vehicles in such a manner that fuel/bullet tankers, rice-load and other essential items are respectively escorted back to the State in a phased-manner, the source informed.

Similarly, trucks heading to Jiribam to procure essential items will have to be arranged to avoid congestion along the highway stretch, the Secretary advised.

It is also informed that a joint meeting of home Department, Indian Oil Corporation and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution representatives would be held soon to chalk out a mechanism, the source maintained while adding that State officials had been furnishing report on stock position of essential items to the Central Government on a regular basis.

Meanwhile under cover of the CRPF 57 empty trucks, 19 tankers and two passenger buses left on National Highway 39 today, said a police source.

The same CRPF convoy would be escorting back about 100 loaded trucks which were stranded at Khuzama area and about the same number that left Dimapur, to Imphal.

On the otherhand, about 65 trucks that left for Jiribam yesterday have reached the sub-divisional headquarters this evening, informed our Jiribam correspondent.

The trucks would load essential items including rice from Jiribam godowns of CAF&PD and FCI.