JAC protest continue, damaged vehicles on NH-37

There were reports of several vehicles windshields were smashed as normal vehicular traffic continue to affected on NH-37A, currently using a diversion route of NH-37 for the third day on Friday. Hundreds of vehicles, including Imphal-bound loaded trucks, were also stranding midway owing to the bandh along the NH-37A which is popularly known as Old Cachar Road or Tongjei Maril.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Khoupum Area has been imposing the bandh along the road since November 11, alleging lack of quality in the ongoing road improvement work of the historic road of the state.

Initially, the JAC imposed the bandh for 48-hour commencing from 5 pm, November 11. However, they extended the bandh for another 48 hour in the absence of a positive response to their demands from the government’s side. The extended bandh is due to end by 5 pm on November 14.

After the collapsed of a bailey bridge on Irang river on November 1, the NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road), the second lifeline of the state, the NH-37A is being used as a diversion route. A joint team of 52-engineer regiment of the Indian Army and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) have been engaging in the installation of a new bailey bridge on the same river.

The installation was targeted to complete by November 14 but it was likely to be delayed for a day or two as the new bridge collapsed again before completion on November 11. State chief minister N Biren Singh, on Thursday, assured the completion of the new bridge before Diwali and Ningol-Chakouba festivals which fall on November 15 and 17 respectively.