IMPHAL, August 5: Considering the deteriorating condition of the National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) at the Kaimai-Nungba stretch, coupled with intermittent rain shower in the last few months, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has advised the State Government against allowing heavy vehicles to ply along the highway for some days ie from August 5 till August 7 so as to enable repairing and restoration work of the deplorable road stretch.
According to reports received by the IFP, the official statement of the BRO was handed over to the State Government two days ago.
Acting on it, the Director General of Police (DGP) had informed the matter to Addl SP of Jiribam through the SPs of Tamenglong and Imphal East districts.
The reports further said that the worst road condition section along the Imphal-Jiribam Highway is witnessed at Kaimai to Nungba stretch in Tamenglong district with the condition getting even worst in the wake of the massive landslide at Phesama near Kohima along the National Highway 2 (imphal-Dimapur) as large number of loaded trucks started plying through the Imphal-Jiribam road.
Since, the condition of the road portion has been reduced to a pathetic condition; there is an urgent need to repair the road section as soon as possible, it said.
In repairing the road, the BRO with its machinery and manpower would take time till August 7. However, light vehicles could ply along the highway, it added.
Meanwhile, even as several loaded trucks which were among the 214 loaded trucks leaving Jiribam with security escort reached Imphal this evening, two loaded trucks have been reportedly stuck in a place at Sibilong due to the deplorable condition of the road. Moreover, those trucks which have reached Imphal had also to go through miseries as the trucks had to pass the bad road section with the help of the BRO using JCB and bulldozers.
It may be mentioned here that Union Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh during his recent visit to Imphal had inspected the road condition of NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) along with state Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
There, the Union Minister had met with officials of BRO and instructed for the completion of repairing works along the highway at the earliest.
On the other hand, BRO officials had also given assurances that the repairing works along the highway would be completed within a short time.