Imphal, July 20: The Manipur Drivers Welfare Association distributed food and other essential items to truck operators stranded in between Mao Gate and Khuzama police post today.

The truckers are likely to be stranded there due to the severity of the landslide that had occurred at Phikomei village near Mao Gate last week.

Several new cracks and landslips at the eastern side of Mao bazar have also occurred as well as between Mao and Maram sector along the National Highway 39 thereby preventing movement of heavy vehicles.

Due to incessant rainfall, relief and road repairing work at the landslide affected sections of Phikomei village could not be expedited with only light and medium motor vehicles able to pass through the site.

Even though some LPG carriers with restricted weight of 10 tons could pass through the affected zone with the help of earth excavator (dipper) pressed into service to clear the mud-slide, all are stranded at Kangpokpi area.

Vegetables and perishable items carried by trucks and stranded at near Khuzama police post have begun to rot fouling the atmosphere nearby.

To help the stranded drivers and helpers over come the hardships, a team of Manipur Drivers� Welfare Association including its secretary reached the stranded site and distributed five kgs of rice and other eatables for each vehicle yesterday.

The relief material meant for about 400 stranded truck operators were donated by Truck Owners Welfare Assn and MLA Bijoy Koijam while representatives of Northern Agency Welfare Association and MLA Bijoy Koijam with the distribution activities also assisted by representatives of Northern Agency.

In a noble gesture and compassionate approach to the distressed drivers a team of Kohima Land Transport Trade Drivers Union, Phesama led by its president Mhokolie Lhoushe also provided food materials to drivers of Manipur and were found conducting vigil to ensure the drivers� safety from unscrupulous elements.

Expressing their anxiety at the prolong stay along the highway some drivers interacting with the media-persons who accompanied the relief distribution team queried when the landslips would be cleared so as to reach Imphal.

Urging the Manipur Govt to expedite the highway restoration work some truck operators also conveyed that drivers and their assistance are facing severe mental and physical pressure even as some have been inflicted with diseases.

meanwhile, inspite of partial restoration of vehicular traffic near the mud-slide effected zone of Keithelmanbi the diversionary route have been converted into a large puddle as heavy vehicles plied through the diversion amids continued drizzle.

The State Govt piled iron rods and plates to construct temporary bridge at the portion where the highway has been washed away but completion of the construction is likely to take about one month, according to official source.

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