Over 300 vehicles stranded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 14 2023:
On account of the blockade being imposed along Imphal-Jiribam highway between Langjing and Keithelmanbi, over 300 loaded vehicles have been stranded.
Protesting the highly dilapidated condition of the highway along the particular section, local people closed the highway since yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Drivers' Association (MDA) has declared that they would extend full support to the people's protest.
MDA secretary Ksh Sanjoy said that drivers have been facing a lot of inconveniences as the particular highway stretch is not maintained properly since a long time back.
The highly dilapidated condition of the highway often caused road accidents resulting in many casualties, he said.
Even though NHIDCL is responsible for construction and maintenance of the highway, the agency is unable to repair the worn out sections in time as the same work has been entrusted to several sub-contractors, he said.
Sanjoy pointed out that several sections of Imphal-Jiribam highway in hill areas have fallen into very bad shape, thereby multiplying the woes of drivers.
The stretch between Khumbong and Patsoi along Imphal-Jiribam road was also closed to commuters for the second day, today.
The locals not only placed heavy objects but also scattered pebbles using a heavy machinery at different portions of the stretch.
It may be mentioned that the locals of Patsoi have been urging the Government to repair the portion of National Highway 37 .
They claimed that the portion between Patsoi to Khumbong has become so pathetic that it causes health hazard to the people living nearby due to the road dust apart from being prone to road mishaps.
Later in the evening a public meeting was held and a memorandum was submitted to the CM.
No agreement could however be brought about during the meeting with the Chief Minister.