State of ennui along NH-37 : Time to pack off the BRO
- Sangai Express Editorial :: September 05, 2013 -

Pathetic / Deplorable section of NH-37 connecting Imphal and Jiribam as on July 21, 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Time for a reality check. Time to call a spade a spade. Time to act.

The Border Roads Organisation should go away from the business of looking after the crucial stretch between Imphal and Jiribam of National Highway-37.

Time too for the State Government to clearly lay down its position before New Delhi.

This observation is made not on the basis of the allegations or accusations raised by the Transporters’ and Drivers’ Council, but certainly there must be some reasons, valid ones at that, for a non-Government body to repeatedly hammer home the point that the BRO has abysmally failed in maintaining this crucial lifeline of the State.

Topography of the land, the treacherous terrain, the loose soil formation are all valid reasons, why maintaining this stretch of the highway is such a tough task but to keep falling back on these reasons for years is something which can no longer be accepted at face value.

Covering a distance of about 220 kms, the fact that the time taken to cover the stretch from Jiribam to Imphal is not calculated in terms of hours but in terms of the number of days and this should about sum up the pathetic condition of this road.

The Sangai Express does not have the record, but it is understood that this road stretch has been under the charge of the BRO since the 1970s and fast forward by more than three decades, there is nothing much to show by way of upgrading or even maintenance.

It is not yet clear when this road stretch was upgraded to the status of a National Highway but the year 2005 should serve as an important landmark in the story that has been unfolding on the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of National Highway 37.

After Manipur witnessed the first marathonesque economic blockade, lasting 52 days, imposed by the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur in 2005, all eyes turned towards this stretch then known as National Highway 53.

Eight years down the line and there is nothing to suggest that anything has moved forward. A clear indication that BRO has abysmally failed in its duty to maintain and upgrade this crucial lifeline of the State and her people.

There could be many reasons why the BRO has not been able to dispense with its duties down the years, but falling back on the same alibi, year after year is taking things a little too far.

The Chief Minister has on more than one occasion made his displeasure with the BRO known in the public domain.

The Transporters’ and Drivers’ Council has also minced no words in coming out against the BRO and it is important to note that the TDC’s diatribes come close to reporting from ground zero.

Reports based on the real experiences faced by the drivers and transporters while passing through this stretch.

New Delhi has on more than one occasion deputed its men to over see or take stock of the situation at the ground level, but as things stand today, the visits have turned out to be nothing much more than verbally criss crossing this stretch with a black topped highway.

Other than the reasons trotted out by the BRO from time to time, the difficulties they face in maintaining this stretch, there is the real possibility of some powerful lobby groups or vested interest parties, which do not want this stretch of the highway to live up to the standard of a National Highway.

This is a possibility which cannot be overlooked or ignored at any cost. The politics that is being played out on the turf of National Highway-37 is not something which is not discernible.

That BRO has failed needs no elaboration. The question is whether Delhi and the State Government are ready to take a stand and accordingly proceed with the demand of the time.

Replace the BRO with some other agencies. This will show that the Government means business.