Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Over 1,000 goods and fuel vehicles remain stranded along NH-37, stretching from Assam into Manipur’s Jiribam district.
The All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers Union (Drivers’ Union) has issued an ultimatum, stating that if authorities fail to repair the highway by June 30, all drivers will launch an indefinite strike from July 1.
Following the closure of NH-2, which links Imphal to Nagaland’s Dimapur, in mid-May, NH-37 connecting Imphal to Assam’s Silchar has become Manipur’s only operational lifeline.
However, heavy rains and landslides have triggered massive mudslides, leaving essential supply trucks, including LPG and fuel tankers, stranded.
The Drivers’ Union holds the state government and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) directly responsible for the deteriorating road conditions, which it claims have not improved significantly since 1971.
Union General Secretary Maimom Anil Meitei said the current security-escorted movement of around 150 vehicles per day is insufficient to meet the state’s needs, leading to rising prices and supply shortages.
The union has demanded that the government constitute a monitoring committee to oversee NHIDCL’s maintenance work.
It warned that if no concrete action is taken by June 30, all drivers, including those operating vehicles under security escort, will stop work from July 1 to press for immediate action to address the transportation crisis and rising prices in the state.