Horrible road imperils residents
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 20 2022:
People residing on either side of the road stretch between Nongthonband and Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant along National Highway 2 (Imphal Dimapur road) have been exposed to different problems due to horrible conditions of the road stretch.
Reportedly, one of the factors which contribute to damaging the nearly 2 km long road stretch is the frequent movement of heavy vehicles and tanker trucks carrying LPG cylinders.
The Gas Bottling Plant at Sekmai of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has about 240 LPG bullet tanker trucks and the purpose of the heavy vehicles is to bring LPG in bulk from loading points at other States for bottling at Sekmai.
On average, at least 30 bullet tanker trucks carrying bulk LPG move and about 40 trucks loaded with LPG cylinders move along this road stretch connecting Nongthonband and Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant daily.
Due to this frequent movement of heavy vehicles, the condition of the road is in a very pathetic condition, troubling both the commuters and residents alike.
It may be recalled that this road stretch was repaired nearly seven years back after the residents started agitating against the non-maintenance of the road.
Cracks, however, started to develop at the road as the repair work was conducted without considering the weight of the loaded trucks which passed through the stretch.
Most of the heavy vehicles which take the road belong to IOCL, but the company hasn't said anything about repairing the damaged road from their side and neither is there any indication of them (IOCL) preparing to repair the road under Corporate Social Responsibility by spending 2 per cent of its return.
Much to the woes of the residents, the Public Works Department of the State Government also hasn't made any statement on repairing the road till date.
Notably, the road was blocked by the residents nearly seven years back, following which the IOCL had written to the State Government to hand over the road stretch to them officially so as to keep the stretch in good shape.
The State Government, however, rejected the proposal of the IOCL.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, one resident Maharabam Opendra said that the pathetic conditions of the road not only cause traffic barriers but also make people sick due to the generation of road dust.
Saying that they (the locals) and the local clubs have carried out maintenance works on its own two-three times earlier as they could no longer bear the inconvenience, Opendra said that the authorities concerned, however, are not paying any attention to the difficulties they have been facing.
He then urged the authorities to understand the sentiment of the people and initiate the maintenance work.