Drivers' unions have threatened an indefinite strike from July 1 if NH-37 is not repaired by June 30, alleging prolonged neglect of the Imphal-Jiribam highway.
Imphal, June 26: Drivers' organisations in Manipur have warned of an indefinite steering-down strike from July 1 if the government fails to undertake emergency repairs on National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) by June 30, alleging that the highway has been neglected despite serving as one of the state's key lifelines.
The warning was issued jointly by the Drivers' Union and the All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers' Union during a press interaction, where they expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the highway and the hardships faced by commercial vehicle operators.
General Secretary of the Drivers' Union, Maimom Anil Meetei, alleged that both the State Government and the agencies responsible for maintaining the highway had failed to improve the road despite repeated complaints from transporters.
He said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had been responsible for the construction and maintenance of the highway before vehicle movement became fully operational around 2010. According to him, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) took over the project in 2014, but the overall condition of the road has seen little improvement.
Anil alleged that with the onset of the monsoon, several stretches of the highway have become virtually impassable. Heavy vehicles frequently get stuck in deep mud for hours, disrupting the transportation of essential commodities into the state.
He further claimed that even during the period when the BRO was maintaining the highway, the road was never developed to the standards expected of a National Highway. As a result, he said, sections of the road often deteriorate when trucks carry loads within the permissible limits prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Rules.
According to the union leader, public dissatisfaction over the condition of the highway had earlier led to demands for the BRO to be replaced. NHIDCL subsequently assumed responsibility for the project in 2014.
However, he alleged that apart from widening certain stretches and laying bituminous surfacing, no substantial work has been undertaken to upgrade the highway to National Highway standards.
The organisations further alleged that although NHIDCL has awarded contracts to various executing agencies, the quality of work has not resulted in any visible improvement. They claimed that heavily loaded vehicles continue to become stranded on the highway because of poor road conditions.
Holding the Manipur Government, NHIDCL and the executing agencies responsible for the present condition of the road, the drivers alleged that maintenance work has remained inadequate despite the highway's strategic importance for the transportation of goods into the state.
The unions also accused NHIDCL of failing to exercise effective supervision over contractors working on the project. According to the organisations, contractors have been allowed to function without adequate monitoring, while the road continues to deteriorate.
They said the poor condition of the highway has severely affected commercial truck drivers, security escort drivers and personnel travelling in convoys along the route, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) teams.
The organisations warned that unless repair works begin on a war footing before June 30, they will suspend transportation of goods from Jiribam and adjoining areas of Assam to Imphal from July 1.
They announced that both commercial vehicle drivers and those operating under security escorts would participate in the proposed steering-down strike until concrete steps are taken to restore the highway.
Meanwhile, under security arrangements, around 150 trucks and fuel tankers that had been stranded at Jiribam were escorted safely towards Manipur on Friday. According to the information shared, a total of 319 trucks and tankers, including vehicles that joined the convoy en route, were dispatched safely towards Imphal.
