Perennial apathy hallmark of Imphal-Jiribam road
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 28, 2023 -

WHENEVER reports about deterioration of the Imphal-Jiribam sector of the National Highway-37 crop up one can't help but recount the statement of chief minister N Biren, who had likened condition of the national highway stretch to tarmac of an airfield under the double engine BJP government.

In fact, few months after formation of the BJP government in the state there was significant improvement of the highway but the same cannot be said at the juncture as is evident from public settling along the route and local organisations occasionally restricting vehicular traffic to protest inordinate delay in completing the highway project.

In the hill areas of the highway, disagreement over rate of land compensation, extortion activities and natural disasters, to name a few, stalled actual execution of the project whereas in the plains with exception of compensation issue there were no foreseeable problems caused to the project implementing companies.

In the backdrop of recent outbursts of condemnations against the sluggish progress of the project work, a team of media persons carried out inspection of the NH-37 up to Irang bridge which is located about 98 km from Imphal on Sunday.

While it would be wishful thinking that expansion and black-topping of the entire stretch of the national highway, especially in the hilly terrain, would be completed within a short notice, condition in the valley section of the road from Oriental College till New Keithelmanbi found to be in worst possible condition years after commencement of the project work indicates negligence on the part of the work agencies.

For the record, Manipur has only two supply routes with goods carriers generally opting for the Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH 2) as it is shorter and road condition is better.

However, both the public and the government authorities realise importance of the Imphal-Jiribam stretch only when economic blockades or public movements target the former.

As there had been no lengthy disturbances caused to National Highway-2 for the last few years, it seems that civil societies as well as the incumbent government have been in the silent mode rather than exerting pressure on the work agencies to accelerate the project.

In year 2016-17 during which Manipur experienced nearly 130 days of public agitations and economic blockades enforced along the national highways consumed over 170 days, there were vociferous demands from valley-based civil organisations for proper maintenance of NH-37 with the then works minister promising that the alternative lifeline of Manipur will be repaired and maintained in such a way that the state doesn't have to depend on NH-2.

Moreover, in 2014, Union Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had announced that development of the Imphal-Jiribam highway would be included in the 100-day programme of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

On its part, the Union government kept the promise by sanctioning fund to develop the highway on a priority basis. As it is a centrally-funded project there might be limitation for the government of Manipur.

Nevertheless, the state should shoulder the responsibility of closely monitoring the work progress and intimate the central authorities at the slightest instance of negligence by the work agencies.