MDA blames Govt's failure to repair highway
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 29 2024: The Manipur Drivers Association (MDA) has blamed the Government's failure to repair and maintain NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam highway) properly for 'artificial' accidents on the highway.

The MDA today extended financial assistance to second driver Pradip Sangroula (30) s/o Lakshman Prasad of Charhajare, Kanglatongbi who is currently undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College after he met with an accident at Leingangpokpi on NH-37 .

The financial assistance was presented through Loukrakpam Manisana (driver) of Senjam Chirang.

MDA president Saikhom Babudhon, general secretary Kshetrimayum Sanjoy and advisor Ganga Singh handed over the financial assistance to Manisana today.

MDA blames Govt's failure to repair highway

Kshetrimayum Sanjoy said that truck drivers have been struggling really hard on a daily basis to cross around 50 Kms of NH-37 which is in the worst possible state.

"MDA has been extending help to drivers and second drivers when they land in any trouble.

Under this principle, we are extending some financial aid to injured second driver Pradip Sangroula", he said.

Even though drivers, transporters and many CSOs have been repeatedly asking the Government and the authorities concerned to develop NH-37 as a standard highway, the authorities have done very little to this end, he said.

It is a matter of grave concern that the Government is unable to develop NH-37 as a standard highway even after several decades whereas much longer and wider highways are built within specific time frames in different parts of the country, Sanjoy said.

Most sections of the 222 Kms long Imphal-Jiribam highway are in very bad shape but around 50 kms of its entire length are in the worst condition, he said.

Drivers have to struggle really hard to cross this 50 Kms long section, he added.

Had the Government and authorities concerned repaired the highway properly, there would not have been any 'artificial' accidents, Sanjoy continued.

He then urged the Government to pay due attention to the plight of the drivers and repair the highway at the earliest.