Imphal, June 03 2010: United Clubs National Highway-53 has decided to take up various activities to ensure development of the said highway to a fully functional highway.

Among other activities, the joint body of all the clubs of the people settled along the said National Highway has announced that along with academic exercise, it would be exerting pressure on the Government to do the needful for development of the highway.

Addressing a press conference in this regard at the office of Cachar Road Athletic Union, Sagolband Khamnam Bazar here today, president of United Club National Highway-53, Thongam Syama observed that National Highway 53 should be developed properly with the collective voice and strength of the people.

He also appealed to the people settled on either side of the highway to extend every possible assistance in the endeavour of the Club.

Working president of the Club Th Mangi, who was also present during the press conference, informed that for collective understanding on the need to develop National Highway 53, how it should be developed and what are the problems that are being faced while travelling along the highway, the Club would be organising a 'Road Congress' on June 20 at Manipur Press Club.

Stating that over and above the failure of upgrading and maintaining the National Highways-39 and 53 to the standard which is expected of a National Highway, frequent imposition of economic blockade along these two National Highways have been depriving the rights to life of the people, Mangi pointed out that the condition of the road and bridges along the National Highway 53 more deplorable in comprising to the National Highway 39 .

Yet, the Government and the people remember the importance of National Highway 53 only when there is no possibility of lifting any essential goods through the National Highway 39 .

Moreover, he lamented, the Government of Manipur has not been able to come out with a policy on the development of these two National Highways nor taken up any concrete measures toward proper development and protection of the National Highways.

All these issues would be brought up for discussion during the 'road congress', he informed, adding that ahead of the congress a joint public meeting would also be held at the community hall of YLDC on June 6.After the congress, a peace march would be taken out by youth from Imphal to Silchar, informed.

The resolutions and recommendations adopted during the road congress would be submitted to the Government of Manipur and Centre for necessary actions, he added.