No one is handling NH 37
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: July 30 2011 -

The Cabinet had decided to hand over construction and maintenance work of the Imphal Barak section of NH 37 (53) to the Public Works Department (PWD).

Earlier the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which had been handling the work disappointed itself and every one else. Then the PWD talked loud that it was capable of executing high quality work and that its claims were borne true by its excellent work on stretches of the Imphal Moreh section of NH 39.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The PWD has so far proved that it cannot maintain or develop NH 37. In the process it is absolutely certain that the PWD has lost self esteem and that it is no longer a trust wordy body to look after this vital state life line.

It is an accepted fact that construction work on NH 37 is a difficult proposition. For one thing a lot extraneous factors are at play on this highway. For another it prohibits the lack of strong bridges restricts plying of trucks with heavier loads than at present.

The state PWD know fully well the hindrances that could affect the transport of essential items to the state and many people feel that the department being a state department would had been instilled with the expected urgency to make the highway an all weather road at the earliest possible time.

But the PWD does not answer to the people’s needs.

The public is infuriated by the PWD and Government’s lackadaisical attitude in providing adequate safety in public transport. This makes freight and travelling a risky business, which is of course non reassuring and a negative sign.

Why is the government so unconcerned about the safety and welfare of the people ?
Why does it choose to be unpopular and undesired?
Does it not have any concern about the plight of the common people as they have to travel through the state on business or urgent need ?

If the Guwahati -Shillong road can be made into a four lane highway as is being done right now, surely we can take up construction of a two lane highway. After all we have the man power and we have the technical skill.

The only other major concern for the government is the political will. The highway should not be left to deteriorate before any major disaster takes place. The importance of the highway is too much to be cast aside.

NH 37 should be made an all weather road and this will be a symbol of achievement. That aspect cannot be and should not be sidelined.