KSO Chandel bans heavy vehicles along Imphal-Moreh road
Stick to restrictions : Student body
Source: The Sangai Express

Chandel, September 28 2015: Dispite imposing a ban on movement of heavy vehicles along Moreh-Imphal road from Pallel by Public Works Department (PWD), National Highway Division, fully loaded heavy vehicles continue to ply along the Imphal-Moreh Section of National Highway 102 hampering the repairing work of the road.

This came to light when a team of Kuki Students ' Organization (KSO), Chandel and media team conducted a spot inspection on Sunday and several vehicles were found violating the order of Public Works Department.

Heavy vehicles including ten wheeler trucks and Shaktiman trucks continue to ply from Imphal and Moreh despite the standing order of banning heavy vehicles along the highway.

Several Shaktiman trucks were found transporting wood pieces from Moreh to Saivom and Senam village to be further transported towards Imphal by bus.

A dilapidated portion along Imphal-Moreh highway

The portion of sinking road along Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway-102 in between Tengnoupal and Chahmol was also found sunk deeper due to continued plying of heavy vehicles.

Speaking to media persons, Ch Pachoh Kom, chief of Sibong Khudengthabi village who is also an ex-MDC said that Imphal-Moreh highway is one of the lifelines not only for the people of Moreh and its surrounding villages but also for the whole people of the State.

The road from Heirok to Moreh via Leibi is the only alternative road to Imphal-Moreh highway, he added.

He maintained that now they have to depend solely on Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 102 as some portions of Heirok to Moreh road were washed away by the recent landslides in the region.

The sunken portions along Imphal-Moreh road near Tengnoupal and Kwatha Lamkhai were also found having sunk deeper as heavy vehicles continue to ply along the highway.

As such, the people of Moreh and surrounding villages are apprehensive of being cut off from the rest of the State, added the village chief.

While appealing to the State Government and social organisations to check the movement of heavy vehicles, the Sibong Khudengthabi chief also expressed that he along with his villagers have resolved to enforce a ban on heavy vehicles along the road.

Lhunminlal Haokip, Secretary of Health and Environment, KSO Chandel also said that following the deteriorating road condition of Imphal-Moreh road particularly the sunken portions near Tengnoupal, they have decided to enforce immediate ban on movement of heavy vehicles including ten wheelers along the highway till the road is fully repaired.

He also said that if heavy vehicles continue to ply along this road and the movement remains unchecked, the border town will be totally cut off for many days as there is no alternative by pass road for the sunk portion between Tengnoupal and Chahmol.

All commercial vehicles including Shaktiman trucks carrying more than 8 tonnes will come under the purview of the ban, he added.

While appealing to all the traders, vehicle owners or associations and the general public to extend co-operation, the student leader warned that they will take up befitting action if any one defies and violates the ban on heavy vehicles.