Imphal, October 03 2010: In the backdrop of frequent disturbances on the Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-39, state government is understood to be in favour of developing the infrastructure on the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-53 .

Besides the hectic work to make NH-53 an all season road, worthy of being a lifeline of the state, government is determined to develop other infrastructure like accommodation centres for inter-state travellers, parking places, godowns etc.

Government is planning to construct a Manipur Bhavan at Silchar inAssam, the first destination point of travellers from Manipur on NH-53.Officials said that government has approved a proposal for purchase of land for the Bhavan.

Twenty-four bighas of land presently occupied by three individuals on the side of NH-53 near Silchar town at Rongpur-II is available for purchase and they (land owners) were ready to sell their land to the state government.

Government has got xerox copies of land register deeds provided by the owners.

The rate of the land is Rs 5 lakh per bigha.

The total cost for the 24 bighas is Rs 1.20 crore.

And government considers the site is suited for the location of a Manipur Bhavan, the source maintained.

Manipur government chalked out various plans for development of infrastructure at Jiribam and Silchar connecting Imphal via NH-53.Among others, it includes construction of FCI godowns near the Jiribam railway station, development of a vehicle parking lot in Silchar etc.

State PWD department is also assisting the road improvement work NH-53 by sending man power and equipment with funds from the state exchequer even as the centre has refused to handover the road maintenance work to the state government.

The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC), who is unwilling to ply on NH-39 amidst repeated threats on the lives of drivers and truckers, coupled with the collection of huge amounts illegal taxes by anti-social elements on the stretch, is extending full co-operation in the road improvement work undertaken on NH-53 .

The TDC is refusing to ply on NH-39 sticking to their demands which among others include compensation to state trucks damaged and torched in Nagaland in the wake of the ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland by the Nagaland Students' Federation (NSF) .

Fed up with frequent bandhs, blockades and other disturbances on NH-39, people of Manipur has been crying out for developing NH-53 through which people can directly reach the nearest railhead for their onward journey to other parts of the country.

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