TDC appeals
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 19 2014: Forecasting that the railway authority's plan to block railway line at Lamding by putting up a mega block in order to upgrade the railway track from October this year would bring about a crisis of food scarcity in Manipur, the Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure that the railway line is not blocked and the FCI regional office of Imphal functions to its full potential.

Speaking to media persons at their office today, TDC president H Ranjit said that blocking the railway line would interrupt transportation of rice and other essential commodities to Manipur along Imphal-Jiribam highway and it would cause acute shortage of essential commodities in the State.

Already transporters have been enduring all kind of harassments and difficulties while transporting goods along Imphal-Dimapur, particularly in Assam's Karbi Anglong and Nagaland.

If the railway line is blocked at this juncture, the woes of transporters would be unbearable.

As such, the Chief Minister should urge the Railway Minister not to block the railway line in the interest of the people of Manipur.

Even as the then Union CAF&PD Minister KV Thomas inaugurated a regional FCI office at Imphal on January 22 this year, the office's performance is below par so far on account of shortage of staff.

Because of the dysfunctional regional office, tender for transportation of the State's quota of rice could not be held at Imphal.

It was held in Nagaland thereby causing severe inconveniences, Ranjit said.

He sought immediate attention of the State Government to take up the matter with the Government of India to appoint not less than 30 staff for the FCI regional office as is the case with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Holding tender in Nagaland would be problematic in selecting competent contractors.

The same problem can be done away with if the tender is held at Imphal.

Although construction of Irang, Makru and Barak bridges along NH 37 was targeted for completion by April last as assured by the BRO, even construction of supporting pillars are yet to be completed.

With many of wooden planks and runners missing, Barak bridge now poses serious threats to transporters.

Ranjit also sought attention of the Government towards all the risks and challenges posed by the Imphal-Jiribam highway because of the BRO's lackadaisical manner of maintaining the highway.

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