No progress made in repairing work : 800 vehicles stranded along NH-37
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 29 2013: Even as all kinds of vehicles stayed away from NH 37 at the request of BRTF for repairing the most sloughy and dilapidated section of the highway, not much headway has been made in the repairing work, on account of which a large number of trucks have got stuck and are stranded along the particular section.

BRTF sought three days time for repairing the worst section from Barak to Kambiron.

Accordingly, police prohibited movement of vehicles along the highway from August 21 to August 23 .

But when around 900 trucks left Jiribam for Imphal yesterday, the highway section was found in the same condition as was seen before August 21.Of the large number of trucks heading for Imphal, 103 were loaded with fertilizers, 284 were loaded with rice while the remaining trucks were loaded with cement and other assorted goods.

A Gypsy makes its way through NH-37 a few days back

Although around 100 trucks could somehow cross the Barak-Kambiron section with much struggle, some of the trucks travelling behind got stuck in the sloughy section.

Consequently, around 800 trucks have been stranded at Barak, Sibilong and Nung Dolan.

The trucks got stuck because BRTF only put earth without stones on the already sloughy and worst dilapidated section.

Drivers and transporters of some of the stranded trucks have questioned why vehicles were kept away from the highway for three days if the BRTF could not repair the particular section.

Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) president H Ranjit alleged that the BRTF did not repair the particular section even though vehicles were kept away from the highway for three full days in the name of repairing the section.

Putting earth without stones on the wheel track only made the highway section more slippery and sloughy and it further multiplied the woes of the drivers.

It's time for the Government to give special attention and monitor the BRTF's style of working, Ranjit asserted.

It is illegal for BRTF to close the highway in the name of repairing it.

In case BRTF tries to commit such faux pas in future, TDC would fight it in a befitting manner with the help of law.

Notably, TDC had recently repaired the Barak-Sibilong section and Kambiron area of the highway using more than 100 truck loads of stones.

After that BRTF has not repaired or put stones on the highway section.

Some drivers said that BRTF charged Rs 500 to Rs 1000 for pulling up a vehicle in case it gets stuck in the slippery sections.