Imphal, July 22: Despite the odds working against them in smooth conduct of their service, truck drivers in the State no particular wish to stay away from National Highway 39 which has become a 'whipping boy' for any sundry organisation for a cause provided they were given protection by the Government.

As along as there is adequate security measures along the route, it does not matter whether the goods and other essential commodities are being ferried along National Highway 39, 53 or 150, said representatives of All Manipur Drivers', Welfare Association and All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union informed The Sangai Express.

However, they ardently desired that the Government should develop and maintain all the National Highways on equal standard and the smooth conduct of the service is not interfere from any quarters.

It is the only one wish of the drivers to see that not only the National Highways 39 and 53 but also the National Highway 150 are developed and provide full security along the routes so that they could render their service of transporting foodstuffs and other essential commodities smoothly and without any hindrance, the representatives said.

With the economic blockade still in force in the two National Highways, the drivers are in a difficult position now to carry on with their service.

The drivers do not like to defy the economic blockade or bandh called by any organisation in pursuance of their cause.

But sometime they have no option but to follow the instruction of the Government for lifting essential commodities for the sake of the suffering people, they observed.

Some of the vehicles have gone along the Imphal-Jiribam road (national Highway 53) recently for transporting goods only after the Government assured full protection and security coverage, they said.

Although traffic along the National Highway 53, popularly known as Imphal-Jiribam Road has been resumed, the said route is still need to be improved, the representatives observed, while drawing the attention of the Government into these matters.

Side by side, the State Government should work out an amicable solution with agitators so that the ongoing economic blockade along the National Highway 39 is resolved at the earliest possible so that normal service along this route too could be resumed, besides taking up appropriate protective measures from the activities of antisocial elements, they said.

Inspite of the fact that it is the drivers who are out in the field, the Government has great responsibility in ensuring their safety.