Pre-monsoon rainfall batters NH-37
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 23 2024: The continuous pre-monsoon downpour for the last couple of days has left NH-37, which remains a crucial supply route to the state amid the unrest situation, in a dilapidated condition, even as Nung Dolan area in Noney witnessed landslides due to the rain.

The continuous rainfall has disrupted flow of traffic along the National Highway 37 as the route was blocked by landslides in Nung Dolan area.

However, work agencies cleared the route and restored vehicular movement in the afternoon, Friday.

According to reports received here, large potholes along the highway and water logging due to continuous downpour are creating serious inconveniences to goods transporters and public carriers operating along the highway stretch.

Due to the unrest situation in the state, the NH-37 has become an important route and the only lifeline of the state.

Trucks loaded with essential commodities ply along the road on a daily basis to meet the needs of the people.

However, due to suspected lapses on the part of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which is the nodal agency entrusted to maintain the national highway portion, the road construction/repair works remain incomplete.

Speaking to this daily, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' union secretary Maimom Anil Meitei pointed out that condition of the road stretch from Kaiphundai to Jiribam and Makru to Nungkao along NH-37 (Imphal-'Jiribam Road) has a serious concern for trucker transporting essential goods into the state on a daily basis.

Moreover, continuous rainfall for the last couple of days has worsened condition of the route near Kambiron.

Construction of drains along the highway and blacktopping are the verge of completion.

However, as the contractors failed to press NHIDCL officials to complete the whole process during a certain period of time, the task has been delayed for a long time now.

On the other hand, periodical power cuts in Tamenglong and Noney is creating huge problems to the student community in the districts, prompting fervent appeal to authority concerned to ensure regular power supply considering the on-going board examinations.

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