Cabinet opts for NH-53 route, Rio derided
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 10 2010: The State Cabinet has resolved to ferry medicine, oxygen cylinders, fuel and PDS items along NH-53 under strict security measures complete with escorts from May 12 .

The State Government has also instructed all Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners to check prices of goods and commodities fixed by traders and shop-keepers taking advantage of the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways.

A Cabinet meeting held today with Chief Minister O Ibobi in the chair deliberated on the prevailing law and order situation at length and resolved to ferry goods, which currently in shortage in the State, along NH-53 with security escorts, SPF spokesperson N Biren informed media persons.

Do not covet thy neighbour's land : Rio and O Ibobi

He said that there is a stock of live saving drugs for 15 to 20 days and petrol and diesel for seven days.

Oil tankers stranded at Khatkhati have been directed to come along NH-53 and to divide the loads amongst themselves so that each of their loads do not weigh more than 10 metric tonnes.

Transportation of goods along NH-53 would be done twice in a week.

Expressing grief over the Mao incident, Biren however stated that the Nagaland Chief Minister has no right to comment on internal matters of Manipur or condemn the State Cabinet decision.

"Perhaps, he did not know himself", Biren remarked.

Terming it as an interference in other State Government's affairs, the Manipur Cabinet also took serious note of it and condemned the Nagaland chief minister's recent comment on the Manipur Cabinet's decision to bar the entry of NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah to Manipur.

At present, 189 oil tankers and 42 bullet tankers remain stranded at Khatkhati.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department has directed DCs to ensure that shops display price list of goods and that goods are sold at the displayed prices in collaboration with their monitoring SPs within their respective jurisdictions.

The DCs have also been asked to take up necessary measures to check hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities.

The Chief Minister also discussed about developing NH-53 with BRO officials this afternoon.

The meeting was attended by Works Minister K Ranjit, PWD Chief Engineer, BRO officials in charge of Oriental College to Barak and Barak to Jiribam sections of NH-53 .

As of now, there is no plan to re-build some bridges along NH-53 as they are located within submerge zone of Tipaimukh project, said an official source.

The meeting discussed about fixing a weight limit for vehicles that would travel along the highway after studying the conditions of bridges connecting the highway.

Considering the existing condition of these bridges, vehicles cannot carry loads heavier than 15 tonnes.

Vehicles carrying more than 15 tonnes would be checked at Jiribam check-post and made to download the additional weights there, added the source.