More than 1,000 vehicles remain stranded on NH-37 as Manipur drivers issue a June 30 ultimatum, warning of an indefinite strike if urgent highway repairs are not completed
Imphal: More than 1,000 goods carriers, fuel tankers and other essential supply vehicles remain stranded along National Highway 37, stretching from Assam into Manipur’s Jiribam district, as heavy rainfall and landslides continue to disrupt traffic on the state’s primary supply route.
The All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers Union has issued an ultimatum to the state government and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), warning that all drivers will launch an indefinite strike from July 1 if the highway is not repaired by June 30.
NH-37 has become Manipur’s only operational lifeline since NH-2, the crucial Imphal-Dimapur highway, was closed in mid-May. However, continuous monsoon rains have triggered massive mudslides and road damage, leaving trucks carrying fuel, LPG cylinders and other essential commodities stranded for days.
Union General Secretary Maimom Anil Meitei alleged that the highway’s poor condition has persisted for decades and blamed both the state government and NHIDCL for failing to carry out adequate maintenance.
“The present system of allowing only around 150 vehicles under security escort each day is not sufficient to meet the state’s requirements,” Meitei said, adding that the supply disruption has contributed to shortages of essential commodities and rising prices across Manipur.
The union has also demanded the formation of a monitoring committee to oversee NHIDCL’s road repair works and ensure timely restoration. It warned that if no concrete steps are taken by June 30, drivers, including those operating under security escort, will suspend operations indefinitely from July 1, potentially worsening the state’s ongoing transportation and supply crisis.
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