Transporters threaten to stay off highways
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2015 : Transpor-ters operating on Imphal- Jiribam highway as well as Imphal-Dimapur highway will stay off the two highways if the State Government does not take up concrete actions to repair the broken Barak Bridge within the next couple of days.

Speaking to media persons today, Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association (MTOWA) president H Ran-jit pointed out that it has been six days since the Barak Bridge broke down.

Whereas BRO has shown little enthusiasm to repair the bridge, both the Government and the BRO have not been responding to the MTOWA's offer to repair the bridge at its own expense.

Meanwhile, the Drivers' Union general secretary M Anil met 83rd RCC 2nd-in-Command Romesh and he was told that the Barak Bridge has been partially repaired and some empty trucks have been allowed to cross it.

Anil was further told that further communications be made about movement of trucks in convoys with security escorts after 2/3 days.

Saying that it would take a week before the bridge is fully repaired, Romesh maintained that Barak Bridge was constructed to withstand vehicles weighing only 24 tonnes.

"Will the State Government still remain a mute spectator because National Highways are under the care of the Government of India and let the people of Manipur starve?" Ranjit asked.

The State Government cannot shirk its responsibility at such critical situation.

It should take a concrete decision on the issue.

In case the State Government fails to take a concrete decision by tomorrow to repair Barak Bridge, trans- porters would adopt a resolution to stay off both Imphal- Dimapur highway and Imphal-Jiribam highway.

MTOWA was offering to repair Barak bridge in view of the mounting hardships of common people and the association has intention to take undue advantage out of the situation.

He went on to question as to why Irang, Makru and Barak bridges are constructed with RCC.

Pointing out that each truck weighs around 9/10 tonnes, Ranjit said that limiting the weight of loaded trucks to just 24 tonnes would imply higher prices of commodities at Imphal.

BRO has been scheming to keep off all trucks from Imphal-Jiribam highway.

There is no restriction on movement of trucks weighing 35 tonnes on Imphal-Dimapur highway, Ranjit added.

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