TDC helps deceased driver's family, censures NHIDCL
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 25 2023:
Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC) president H Ranjit accused NHIDCL of following in the same footsteps of BRO by trifling on the NH 37 (Imphal Jiribam) Project.
A TDC team led by its president on Friday visited the family of driver Hawaibam Jiten of Kanto Sabal Makha Leikai, Imphal West, who died of an ailment, and handed over financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the bereaved family.
The TDC members also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family.
Interacting with the media, Ranjit lamented that NH 37 is in a very bad shape.
Earlier, BRO was entrusted to develop the road but due to their lethargic work, it was replaced by NHIDCL.
However, NHIDCL is no different than BRO as could be comprehended from the highway development works making little programme.
As a result of their lack of interest, commuting along the highway has become a dangerous trip for the transporters.
Besides, the heavy rainfall witnessed in the state lately has affected the highway severely with landslides blocking the road at multiple locations, he said.
Delay in clearing the landslide debris by deploying only a handful of heavy machineries resulted in the death of driver Jiten, who got stranded due to the landslide, he contended, and drew attention of the chief minister to direct NHIDCL to be proactive on the highway project.
The president also demanded the government to provide some relief to the late driver's family as he died while carrying out public service amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state.
Deceased driver Jiten's wife Kamala urged the government to improve the condition of NH 37 so that no driver should suffer like her husband.
She also expressed resentment against the security escort moving along with the column of trucks for refusing to help her husband when he told them about his deteriorating health.
She sought help from the state government so that she could support her family in the absence of her husband, who was the main bread-earner.
Later, the TDC team visited Bishnupur district and donated Rs 15,000 each to Yumnam Manishang of Ithai Khunou and Brahmacharimayum Manitombi of Kumbi Shantipur, who were injured in the August 3 scuffle with Assam Rifles at Phougakchao Ikhai.