Trucks head for Guite Road
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Imphal, May 15 2010: Even as a ministerial team was heading for the interiors of Churachandpur district to assess the existing condition of the Guite Road, an alternative road opted by the Government to transport essential supplies, empty trucks numbering about 50 started heading for the third alternative outlet since yesterday in small clusters.

As the cluster of trucks including oxygen canister laden trucks began heading for Mizoram through the Guite Road, the district administration here has instructed the SDO concerned to station its staff at strategic points to oversee and help out the truckers.

Trucks lining up at a Lamka street before heading Mizoram via the Guite Road, CCpur

Officials from SDO Singngat were stationed at the sub-divisional headquarters while that of Thanlon were camped at Sinzawl, the last village bordering Mizoram.

A team from the district supply office has also reached Mizoram's capital city Aizawl early today to oversee the state vehicles, official sources said.

Meanwhile, the ZSF in a statement said it appreciates the Govt's acknowledgement of opening the Guite Road and Tipaimukh as an alternative outlet, although it appeared to be a painful realization.

The acknowledgement has vindicated their long standing demand for a durable road in the district, it added.

Among others, it also appealed to the Government and the traders that intend to ply along the road to be sensitive over their identity, land, customs and culture and to respect the local ethos.

In view of the deplorable road condition, the ZSF also appealed to the Govt to initiate steps to repair the road as well as the bridges and station bulldozers at strategic locations, instead of security forces.

The bailey bridge along the Guite Road at Tuivel, few kilometres from Singngat is unfit for heavy trucks, compelling them to navigate through the river.

An option that will not be feasible once the monsoon arrives.

Meanwhile, concerned over the continuous escalation of prices, the CDSU has announced institution of a mobile team to check any excessive increase in prices in addition to appealing to the trader communities not to wilfully burden the common man.