'Imphal bound goods carriers stranded'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 16 2022:
A large number of goods carriers transporting essential commodities including medicines have been stranded on both Imphal-Jiribam highway and Imphal-Dimapur highway, according to the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union (AMRTDMWU) .
Speaking to media persons at their MG Avenue office here today, AMRTDMWU general secretary Maimom Anil said that a large number of trucks loaded with essential commodities have been stranded, unable to proceed towards Imphal due to sinking of Irang Bridge and frequent landslides on Imphal-Jiribam highway.
On the other hand, the Government of Nagaland has prohibited movement of heavy vehicles on Imphal-Dimapur highway with effect from July 15 till August 10 citing deplorable condition of the highway at certain sections, he pointed out.
As the vehicles could not proceed towards Imphal on both the National highways, the stranded drivers/transporters have been facing many problems, Anil said.
Cessation of movement of heavy trucks would also cause many difficulties to the people of Manipur, he said.
He then sought immediate attention of Chief Minister N Biren to communicate with his Nagaland counterpart so that loaded trucks stranded on Imphal-Dimapur can proceed towards Imphal in the interest of the people of Manipur and the drivers.
In view of frequent incidents of highway robbery and abduction of drivers for ransom at Zakhama and Viswema, AMRTDMWU opened its branch offices at these places to help victims but these branch offices can no longer function as the Government of Nagaland has removed all toll tax gates from the highway, Anil said.
In the absence of any branch office of the union, drivers face untold misery when they encounter any untoward incident inside Nagaland, he said.
He again appealed to the State Government to talk and persuade the Government of Nagaland to let the union open its branch office in Nagaland as done in other States.
Meanwhile, a team of AMRTDMWU led by Maimom Anil made a direct assessment of the construction of Irang Bridge.
According to Anil, they were told by the Manager of GRSE which has been constructing the bridge under NHIDCL that they have been working to complete the bridge construction within the current month.