TDC starts repairing Imphal-Jiribam Road
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal,September 12, 2012: Unsatisfied over the manner of executing work along National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road)by BRO, Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC), Manipur has started repairing the road along with pressing into action 77 trucks loaded with pebbles for strewing to cover the potholes and other deplorable portions of the road.

Briefing media persons on the present condition of NH 37, the second lifeline of Manipur, which has remained neglected for the last many years, H Ranjit, President of TDC, said that the condition of the NH 37 from Leingangpokpi to Barak is so bad that one could never imagine there could be such kinds of roads in the whole world.

As the work carried out by BRO is not up to the mark and nothing much can be expected from them, TDC has decided to repair the road by itself.

The effort of TDC will continue till the road is completely fit to be travelled, Ranjit conveyed.

He informed that 77 truck-loads of pebbles to be strewed all along the required stretches have already been sent from Imphal, and so far around 6 truckloads have been strewn all over.

But considering the need to repair the whole stretch of NH 37, TDC felt that it would be proper to stock up pebbles at MSRTC complex, Jiribam for the time being.

These pebbles would be used when the Imphal bound goods laden trucks are on their back.

The step has been taken since there are a number of 10 to 12 wheeled trucks plying on the road on daily basis for transportation of construction materials for laying railway line.

These heavy trucks spoil the already deplorable condition of the National Highway, Ranjit alleged.

Coming down heavily on BRO, H Ranjit said that although BRO closed down NH 37 from September 6 to 7 for repairing, it was found that no part of the road had been repaired when the team of TDC went to inspect.

BRO has not taken up any sort of repairing work along the road stretch of about 2 kms before reaching Nungba from Imphal and 2 kms beyond.

It seems BRO is not in the mood to repair the said road stretch but to get hold of the huge amount of funds being sanctioned by the Central Government for the purpose, he alleged.

Stating that TDC has also no faith on the Monitoring Committee set up following a directive of the Gauhati High Court for monitoring the road repairing work of BRO, Ranjit informed that members of TDC would not participate in the inspection tour of the Committee scheduled to be conducted from September 13 to 14.But, the members of TDC would again pay an inspection visit along the National Highway after the Monitoring Committee has done its job and furnished the report to the Gauhati High Court.

He also appealed to the state government to come up with some solid strategies for improving the condition of NH 37 in the interest of the people and observed that just submitting reports to the Defense Ministry by the State Works Minister is not enough.

It is high time for the BRO to be sacked and relieved from its present responsibility, the TDC President added.

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