PPCM for declaration of NH-37 as 1st lifeline
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 19 2014:
Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM) has urged Chief Minister O Ibobi to immediately declare NH-37 as the first lifeline of Manipur and subsequently give first priority in every aspect of development of this highway in the shortest possible manner.
The PPCM submitted a memorandum in this regard to the CM through Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar.
The PPCM members have also apprised the matter to the Works Minister during an hour long meeting on Monday.
PPCM is a conglomerate of prominent civil societies like AMUCO, IPSA, NIPCO, UPF, HERICOUN, AMO-WAVA, CLK, ECHAL, PL, NS, KLM, AMKIL, WACAK, WWOK, Kanglei-chal, Lipul, UNACSU, IKAL.
The PPCM also urged the CM to immediately pursue sanctioning of funds for the 6 km stretch of the highway, 3 km each on both the adjacent side of Makru Bridge which is in a highly deplorable condition.
To pursue the Centre for sanctioning of funds for the conversion of the present suspension bridges at Makru and Barak into permanent RCC bridges at the earliest is also among the points raised to the CM.
The PPCM memo signed by its convenor, Elangbam Johnson urged that the State take immediate steps for the establishment of a Highway Protection Force (HPF) or to assign the protection of the highway to a special force within the State jurisdictional capacity at the earliest.
If both the Centre and State Governments fail to initiate and fulfil the peoples' demands at the earliest, PPCM will start a series of Statewide agitation and protests with the people even to the extent of disconnecting with rest of India along these highways, it cautioned.