CM reviews work progress on National Highways ; Locals block stretch of Imp-Jiri highway
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2023: Even as Chief Minister N Biren Singh was holding a review meeting on the progress of works on Highways, people of Patsoi Langjing blocked the Imphal-Jiribam road today.

The National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) road was blocked by the locals after they had issued an ultimatum to the Government to repair the dilapidated condition of the Highway and topped it off with the stand that they would resort to imposing an indefinite bandh on the highway.

Locals along the section of the road from Patsoi Lamkhai to Khumbong had earlier denounced the Government for failing to complete the Highway construction and expansion work.

CM reviews work progress on National Highways ; Locals block stretch of Imp-Jiri highway

Asserting that the pathetic condition of the road has caused numerous vehicular accidents, they stated that the dust kicked up from the shabby road is causing health hazards.

Meanwhile, the review meeting this afternoon chaired by the Chief Minister was attended by officials of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) .

During the meeting, Chief Minister N Biren Singh reviewed the progress of Highway projects being taken up by the NHIDCL.

After the review meeting, Chief Minister N Biren Singh shared a post on Facebook stating that he had chaired a meeting with the NHIDCL on Highway expansion and construction projects in Manipur.

Notably, the review meeting was held amid public outrage over a dilapidated section of NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) from Patsoi Lamkhai to Khumbong.

Several individuals also commented on the Chief Minister's post highlighting the dilapidated section of the Highway.

Some Facebook handles claimed that the section of the road has been left incomplete without any progress since the last 3 years.

They urged the Chief Minister to monitor the construction works and ensure quality.

Notably, National Highway-37 is an important Highway and a "lifeline" for Manipur especially when Imphal-Dimapur Highway is facing constant bandh and blockade imposed by Committee on Tribal Unity amid the current ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis.

Imphal-Jiribam Highway has become the only road for transportation of essential goods and items.