Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN) contradicts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2012: The Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN) has said that there are contradicting views between the Zeliangrong people and the Transporters and Drivers' Council regarding the council's proposal for handing over the development and maintenance works of the National Highway 37 to an agency other than BRO on the ground that the BRO cannot maintain the road.

"The Zeliangrong people who are settled along the entire hill stretch of the said highway are the witnesses to the stark reality of reason why the BRO is unable to maintain the road for the last two-three years," said a ZYF statement signed by its joint secretary, David Kamei.

Following the transporters decisions to ply along the NH 37 instead of NH 39, the traffic flow on this road has been tremendously increased to about 500 trucks plying on this road every day.

Most of the time these trucks stranded on the road by occupying some stretches which resulted in causing inconveniences to other passenger service vehicles apart from hampering the development activities on the road, the statement said.

The passenger of other vehicles, in the absence of any hotels and shops, most of the time, in the middle of the road, had to wait for hours, left hungry without food and water because of those trucks which occupied the road and refused space sizing so as to move ahead.

The Zeliangrong Youth Front frequently travelled along the road and sometimes had strong argument with the truckers for their refusal to give side for other vehicles to proceed ahead, it stated.

Noise pollution, uncontrolled smoke emission, dust and dirt, random defecation by driver's parties and mud produced during rainy season due to the increasing traffic on the said highway are silently tolerated by the people who are living along the road.

The Zeliangrong Youth Front in public interest urged the Govt to advise and issue necessary directions to the truckers to opt for another highway during the period of maintenance of the highway and also suggest the transporters to reduce the vehicles during this period.

It further warned that the Govt should not remain a mute spectator in this matter but should be serious and act before the people living along the road resort to democratic forms of agitations.

When the trucks ferrying petroleum products can travel on the Imphal to Dimapur road (NH 39), there is no appropriate reasons why the transporters should ply only on NH 37 which is a deplorable road at present as such enough time should be given to BRO for completion of the road so that there is also friendly environment for the people who are living along the road, the ZYF reasoned.

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