A large number of protesters staged a sit-in on the National Highway 37 at Sagolband, located in the Imphal West district. The highway serves as a crucial link between South Assam and Manipur. Protestors, mainly from the Meira Paibi, a women’s vigilante group, voiced their frustration over the deteriorating condition of the road. This protest, which took place on Tuesday, marks the second day of their agitation. The NH 37, which connects Imphal to Silchar, has been in a state of disrepair for months, especially in the Imphal West district. […]
Manipur Protests Erupt Over Poor Road Conditions On Imphal-Silchar Highway
A large number of protesters staged a sit-in on the National Highway 37 at Sagolband, located in the Imphal West district. The highway serves as a crucial link between South Assam and Manipur. Protestors, mainly from the Meira Paibi, a women’s vigilante group, voiced their frustration over the deteriorating condition of the road. This protest, which took place on Tuesday, marks the second day of their agitation.
The NH 37, which connects Imphal to Silchar, has been in a state of disrepair for months, especially in the Imphal West district. The damaged road has caused severe traffic congestion, accidents, and breakdowns. The most problematic stretch runs from Sagolband to Langjing Achouba, spanning about 8 km. Despite repeated appeals, authorities have failed to address the worsening condition of the highway, prompting locals to take matters into their own hands.
The road blockade at Sagolband Takhom area caused significant inconvenience to both transporters and commuters. Protesters highlighted the ongoing neglect by concerned authorities, stressing that the state of the highway has been a long-standing issue. “This stretch has been in poor condition for months, and the authorities have done nothing to fix it,” said one protester.
The demonstrators, led by the Meira Paibi, come from various locations in the Sagolband and Patsoi assembly segments of the Imphal West district. Their protests reflect widespread discontent over the government’s failure to ensure basic infrastructure upkeep.
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The protests come on the heels of a recent interaction between the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and the Executive Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), MS Deval. On Monday, the Governor called on Deval at Raj Bhavan in Imphal to discuss the progress of ongoing national highway projects in the state.
During the meeting, the Governor urged the NHIDCL to expedite the completion of the roadworks. He emphasized the importance of these projects for improving the state’s connectivity, which will in turn boost the local economy. The Governor also took the opportunity to outline the challenges faced in executing the highway projects, emphasizing the need for swift action.
The deteriorating condition of NH 37 is just one of many infrastructure issues plaguing in Manipur. Poor road conditions have become a major concern for the residents of Imphal West and other parts of the state. The protests reflect the growing frustration among the public, especially as the state government continues to struggle with basic infrastructure projects.
With transportation becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous, locals are calling for immediate repairs and long-term solutions. The demands of the protesters are simple: restore the road and improve the overall infrastructure to ensure the safety and convenience of the public.
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The ongoing protests have drawn attention to the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in Manipur. As the state continues to face challenges with road conditions, it is clear that action from both state and central authorities is needed. Only time will tell whether these protests will lead to the necessary repairs or if the issue will remain unresolved. Until then, residents of Imphal West remain hopeful for a swift resolution.
