UCM shares thoughts on NH-37
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2020:
The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has stated that the mishap at Irang bridge along the Imphal-Jiribam road (NH-37) on November 1, which claimed the life of one tipper truck driver reflects the shabby state of the road and the bridges on NH-37 .
In a statement issued today, BM Yaima, secretary UCM said that not much improvements could be seen in the conditions of road and infrastructures located along the National Highways though years have passed since Manipur merged with the Indian Union, and added that this how Manipur has survived the decades.
BM Yaima also said that the National Highway Infrastructure Corporation Development Limited (NHIDCL) which is carrying out development projects along the highways of Manipur is unfit for the task.
People expected that NHIDCL will work faster and more efficiently than Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which was engaged earlier to develop and maintain the road but work along the said National Highway is considerably slow even today, he contended.
Yaima maintained that repairing the highways by the transporters and commuters would be better as the works of NHIDCL is not satisfying.
Expressing disappointment with NHIDCL for not making any statement regarding the snapping of Ithai bridge and the death of a tipper truck driver till date, the UCM's secretary said that the mishap of November 1 was a consequence of handing over 'our important works to an outside company' .
Yaima also maintained that an enquiry should be started to know if the officials concerned were negligent of their duty and added that the matter should not be taken lightly as it involved the death of a driver.
Yaima also suggested that NHIDCL must be legally booked and an enquiry against it started to reveal the truth of the accident.
Saying that family members of the deceased should also be compensated well by the NHIDCL if found guilty, Yaima urged the State Government to cancel the contract with NHIDCL and hand over the task of repairing/developing highways to agencies under PWD, Manipur.
He also urged the State Government to repair the shattered bridge at the earliest.