FCI contractors stand firm against taking NH-39
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 06 2010: FCI contractors of the State have laid down clearly before FCI officials that the situation is still not secure and conducive to travel along NH-39 and that they are not ready to transport goods along Imphal-Dimapur road.

A team of central officials led by Executive Director of FCI Hqs Delhi, Dr Amar Singh arrived at Imphal today and held a meeting with State officials in the Chief Minister's conference hall.

The meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi deliberated on the inability to bring in essential commodities to Manipur in adequate quantities.

(Top) Cops providing security to vehicles on NH-39 route and repair work underway on NH-53

The meeting was also attended by Works Minister K Ranjit, Transport Minister L Jayantakumar, Executive Director of FCI Guwahati region AK Roy, General Manager of FCI Dimapur Regional office MK Gogoi, Area Managers of FCI Dimapur and Imphal, the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home), DGP, Commissioner (FCS), FCI transport contractors, Manager of IOC Imphal depot, IG AR (South), GOC 57 Mountain Division, CRPF IG and BSF officers.

The transport contractors who attended the meeting were put under immense pressure from FCI officials and the State Government to take the NH-39 route for transporting essential commodities including petroleum products to Manipur, conveyed some transport contractors.

Despite the strong pressure exerted from the two sides, the transport contractors categorically stated that they are not ready to resume transport service along NH-39 in view of the various problems likely to be faced along the highway coupled with the ban being imposed by the Transporters' and Drivers' Council and civil organisations against taking NH-39 .

Assuring their best efforts in lifting petroleum products, rice, wheat and sugar along the Imphal-Jiribam road from Ramnagar and Jiribam, the transport contractors asked the FCI officials to bring rice and other goods till Jiribam by train.

Endorsing the contractors' proposal, Chief Minister O Ibobi urged the FCI officials to bring in goods till Jiribam rail-head by train.

In response, the FCI officials assured that they would proceed with the necessary process to put the proposal of transporting goods till Jiribam by train after due consultation with Railway officials.

The Chief Minister also quizzed the IOC officials on the ineffectual transportation of petroleum products to Manipur.

He also pointed out that fuel oils were available on streets.

It was on the matter of price.

DGP Y Joykumar said that security would be provided for the highway repairing and development work, if required.

The FCI contractors also informed the meeting that they brought in 645.610 metric tonnes of rice between May 26 and July 4 this year.

Meanwhile, it is reported that oil tankers and bullet tankers which have been stranded along NH 53 due to worn out condition of the highway at different points like Sibilong would be brought to Imphal by security escorts tomorrow.

A decision to this effect was adopted during a meeting presided by the Chief Minister and attended officials of FCI, IOC, security forces and relevant State Government officials today.

The stranded vehicles which would be brought to Imphal tomorrow include 68 diesel tankers, 10 kerosene tankers, 23 petrol tankers and 20 bullet tankers.

On the other hand, vehicles which left Imphal for Jiribam two/three days back have not reached Jiribam yet, informed Jiribam police.