Artificial price hike
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, July 03 2016:
Artificial price hike is likely to take place in Ukhrul district since truck drivers have been refusing to ply on the NH-150 due to depilated condition of the road, reports Mungchan Zimik.
In a press conference held at TLL office located at Phungreitang today, transport associations of Ukhrul stated that since June 15, not a single loaded truck has transported commodities in the district after the authority concerned failed to repair the sunken road along the highway.
Therefore, hiring charge from Dimapur to Ukhrul has increased from Rs 2/kg to Rs 3/kg which in turn will certainly lead to artificial price hike of all the commodities.
For Ukhrul district, essential commodities and construction materials are all transported into the district through the NH-150 from Dimapur.
Vehicles plying through the highway have to incur additional expenditure especially while passing Marem village in Ukhrul.
100-150 metres stretch of the highway has sunk and no repairing work has been initiated so far.
Trucks proceeding from Dimapur have to wait for tow trucks to arrive and pull up the vehicles.
To pull up one truck, at least 2 to 3 tow trucks are required and they charge from Rs 3000 onwards.
DC Modak Hrishikeesh Arvind had sanctioned Rs 3 lakh to Marem village headmen in 2014 for immediate reparation of the sunken portion of the highway.
Unfortunately, no improvement can be seen till date.
At the same time, BRO, Ukhrul who manages the NH-150 had constructed new road diversion but the road is in deplorable condition since no proper drainage and culvert are constructed.
Over 100 loaded trucks are transported into the district on monthly basis to meet the requirements of the public.
However, artificial scarcity will likely to take place.
Tangkhul Leisak Long(Trade Council) has appealed to the authority concerned for immediate intervention into the matter.