AIMS seeks audit by PMO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2026: The Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur has appealed to the Prime Minister's Office to carry out an audit of NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam highway) regarding alleged inconsistent project records, recurring landslides, extortion and inadequate support for stranded drivers and passengers.

In this regard, AIMS said it submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, with copies to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Manipur.

The memorandum pointed out conflicting information shared by the NHIDCL on its official website.

NHIDCL's corridor page, last updated on July 28, lists all seven widening packages as ongoing.

Its separate Manipur status table, however, classifies Packages 1 and 3 as completed, although Package 3 shows 86 per cent physical and 85 per cent financial progress.

The group said the discrepancy might reflect unreconciled reporting rather than unfinished construction, but required an official explanation.

It urged NHIDCL to distinguish contractual completion from a highway's actual readiness for safe, year-round operation.

The representation came after repeated disruptions along the route including landslides and extortion.

AIMS has called for an impartial investigation based on receipts, videos, witness accounts and financial transactions.

It also sought a publicly accessible schedule identifying every legally authorised toll, tax or fee, its rate and the agency permitted to collect it.

AIMS said it could not find a complete public inventory of functional toilets, drinking-water points, affordable food outlets, first-aid services, rest shelters and secure truck-parking areas along NH-37 even though the Union Road Transport Ministry has stated that wayside amenities are planned at intervals of approximately 40 to 60 Kms along National Highways.

AIMS appealed to the PMO to carry out a physical assessment of NH-37 and emergency provision of toilets, water, food and medical assistance during prolonged closures.

The group proposed a unified corridor mechanism under a senior nodal officer to coordinate with the Union Road Transport Ministry and Home Ministry, NHIDCL, Manipur Government, district authorities, police, security forces, disaster-management agencies and contractors.

It also sought a technical examination of road surfaces, bridges, drainage systems and unstable slopes, together with permanent deployment of clearance and emergency equipment near high-risk locations.

"A National Highway cannot be considered functional if citizens travel under coercion, fear or unofficial taxation," the memorandum stated.

AIMS has also requested an initial action-taken report within 30 days and completion of the proposed accountability audit within 60 days.

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