Limited supply engenders shortage of commodities, 1000 trucks stuck on NH-37

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 26 : Disrup-tion of vehicular movement along Manipur's two National highways has led to a shortage of essential commodities across the State.
According to Jiri News Network, around 1,000 loaded trucks and  oil tankers heading towards Imphal were stranded between Jiribam and Jirighat in Assam’s Cachar district today due to the unavailability of a security convoy.
Movement of light vehicles was also severely affected along the stretch, as the trucks lined up along the road, resulting in traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, some traders at Thangal Keithel told The Sangai Express that they frequently run out of stock as the goods they order take a long time to reach Imphal.
They also said that the prevailing situation along the Imphal-Jiribam road (National Highway 37) has made it difficult for them to maintain adequate stock levels, adding that edible items such as potatoes, onions, eggs etc often get spoiled due to prolonged delays in transportation.
Moreover, the transportation cost along the Imphal- Jiribam road is higher compared to the Imphal- Dimapur route, they said.
These factors, the traders said, have compelled them to sell essential food items at higher prices.
They also said that some traders have stopped placing orders for goods due to extortion along the highway and other difficulties involved in transportation.
According to well-placed sources, transporters have stopped using the Imphal-Dimapur road (National Highway 2) following the May 13 ambush between Kotlen and Kozim in Kangpokpi district, in which three Thadou Church leaders were killed.
Following the deadly ambush, Kuki groups imposed a total shutdown in Kuki-inhabited areas, while Naga organisations enforced an inter-district blockade, severely affecting the move- ment of goods along the highway.
Consequently, dependence on the Imphal-Jiribam road (National Highway 37) for transporting essential commodities has increased significantly.
Transporters that previously travelled from Dimapur to Imphal via NH-2 are now using the longer alternative route through Silchar on NH-37 to reach the State capital.
However, limited security escort convoys along NH-37 have created a major bottleneck, leaving numerous oil tankers and trucks carrying essential goods stranded in Assam and Jiribam, further aggravating the supply situation in Manipur.
Earlier, a single security convoy used to escort around 100 trucks and oil tankers.
However, the number has now increased to nearly 150 vehicles due to the surge in traffic along National Highway 37.
Despite the revised security arrangement, many trucks and oil tankers carrying essential commodities are frequently left stranded, as the volume of vehicles using NH-37 continues to exceed the convoy's carrying capacity.
Reportedly, only eight companies of the CRPF are currently engaged to escort vehicles along the NH 37.
Citing the limited convoy capacity, transporters have been urging the Government to increase the number of security escort convoys to ensure the uninterrupted movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities.
However, no additional arrangements have been made so far.
Moreover, the deplorable condition of NH-37 has compounded the problem, significantly increasing the travel time from Imphal to Jiribam and vice versa.
Earlier, empty trucks travelling with security escort from Imphal to Jiribam completed the journey in less than 24 hours.
The same journey now takes two to three days.
Likewise, the journey of loaded vehicles from Jiribam to Imphal, which previously took around two days, now takes three to five days.
This is only the actual travel time.
Transporters also have to wait between five and 10 days for their turn to join a security convoy.
The sources further said that security convoys give priority to fuel and LPG tankers, resulting in delays in the movement of trucks carrying other essential commodities.
As only one security convoy operates along the highway each day at present, the movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities remains severely limited.
Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) president Hijam Ranjit told The Sangai Express that the stranding of goods-laden vehicles not only disrupts the supply of essential commodities but also causes hardship to transporters and the security personnel assigned to escort the convoys.
He further said that the condition of NH 37 is getting worse day by day, making it increasingly difficult for transporters to operate along the route.
He urged the Government to take necessary steps to ensure the safe passage of all transporters stranded along the highway in Assam and Manipur.