Imphal, August 02: With the completion of the repairing works of Barak Bridge, over 200 empty trucks were today escorted along National Highway 53 to procure goods from godowns mostly located in Assam.

As per latest information available to the press, the vehicle convoy numbering 238 trucks and passenger buses crossed the repaired Barak Bridge at around 4.30 pm and are expected to reach Jiribam by late evening today.

According to police source, today�s security cover is being provided by officers and personnel of the 2nd Manipur rifles and added that the same team will escort back about 70 trucks out of 150 goods laden vehicles awaiting security cover at Jiribam and completion of bridge repairing works.

It may be mentioned that on recommendation of BRTF authorities, the State Government had restricted carriage of loads not exceeding 10 tons in each vehicle in view of some bridges requiring more repairing and strengthening work to withstand loaded trucks.

A BRTF source reiterated that Barak, Makru and Hamilton (Keimai) bridges are still weak due to absence of repairing works for the last many years.

No maintenance was taken up on NH-53 by the BRTF for the last many years due to the law and order situation.

According to an independent source, lack of communication nearly marred the Imphal-Silchar journey today as some drivers raised objection to inclusion of �non-recommended� vehicles.

Even as the dissension became vocal and the listed vehicles left Kangla with Government officials, representatives of transport body and the �dissatisfied drivers� met, discussed and thrashed out the problem at the historic fort itself.

The Government has placed priority on carriers of �essential commodities� like petroleum products and LPG carriers and vehicles engaged in ferrying food items and baby supplements.

Meanwhile, Manipur Drivers� Welfare Association applauding the state Govt�s effort in ensuring safe passage of commercial vehicles also desired that necessary arrangement be made to increase number of trucks in a single trip as procurement of sufficient items could address problems of food-shortage.