Locals Set 48-Hour Deadline to Start NH-37 Work Again in Manipur.

A combined body of local clubs, Meira Paibis, organizations, and shopkeepers has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the concerned officials to resume work on the ageing stretch of National Highway-37 (Imphal–Jiribam Highway), especially from Oriental College to Yurembam.

The frustration of the public is that this highway section has gone years without repairs. Only after persistent pleas, including official petitions to the Chief Secretary and the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner (DC), did the DC make a direct field inspection and accept the severely eroded condition of the road.

After his visit, the DC ordered the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and contractor M/S Avantika to speed up the construction and complete it before the monsoon season. Accordingly, construction had started initially. But residents now allege that construction has been stopped for the last five days, raising new concerns.

Locals residing on the stretch are suffering the most from the suspended work, with serious health risks from excessive dust and worsening travel conditions. “People are experiencing thick dust pollution, and commuters are experiencing day-to-day difficulties,” said Patsoi Langjing Bazar Board Secretary, Ng Noren.

Noren was upset by the delay and wondered what reason could have prompted a stoppage of the construction activity, particularly after DC’s clear instructions. He condemned NHIDCL and M/S Avantika for not upholding their duties and called on the authorities to act with urgency. He also reminded the DC of his promise and to water the highway multiple times a day to suppress dust pollution—another undertaking that had yet to be completed.

If the construction is not resumed within 48 hours, we will intensify the agitation, and the authorities will have to take full responsibility for the fallout,” Noren threatened.

This is not the first time locals have demonstrated against the bad condition of the highway. Residents closed down the NH-37 stretch on March 24 in protest, seeking urgent measures after living for years with a sub-standard road. The highway, and specifically a 15-km stretch of it, has been in shambles for more than four years, say protesters.

That protest prompted Chief Secretary PK Singh to visit the site in person to judge the situation for himself. He subsequently ordered the concerned agencies to complete the repairs at an urgent pace.

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