IMPHAL, July 4: The Manipur Drivers’ Association (MDA) and the Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur (RNCM), on Friday, separately called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal to raise urgent concerns affecting transport infrastructure and essential services in the state.

The MDA delegation highlighted severe disruptions in the transportation of essential commodities following a massive landslide that struck the Imphal-Dimapur highway at Phesama in Nagaland from June 1 to 4. Representing the state’s transport sector, the group underscored deteriorating road conditions, logistical bottlenecks, and the pressing need for viable bypass routes to ensure uninterrupted supply chains.

The Governor gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation that the state government is exploring all possible avenues to address their concerns promptly.

The MDA also informed the Governor that it has been working in coordination with the Senapati District Truck Owners Association, Senapati District Truck Drivers Union, and the North East Federation of Trade Unions to undertake repair work on the Chakabama–Kedima alternate route in Nagaland.

In response to the disruption, the Manipur Government has proposed two alternative highways to the Nagaland Government for approval:

• Dimapur–Jharapani–Jalukie–Peren–Maram–Imphal (293 km)
• Dimapur–Kohima–Chakabama–Jessami–Ukhrul–Imphal (372 km)

Currently, diverted routes for smaller and medium vehicles are operational to maintain road connectivity. These include the Dimapur–Kohima–Phesama–Kisama–Jakhama–Mao–Maram–Imphal (193 km) route for light vehicles and the Dimapur–Kohima–Chakabama–Kidima–Mao–Maram–Imphal (207 km) route for 2-axle load vehicles. Of the 28-km stretch between Mao–Kidima–Chakabama, 9 km falls within Manipur and is being maintained by the state’s Public Works Department.

In a separate meeting, representatives of the Rongmei Naga Council highlighted challenges faced by communities in Tamenglong district. These include irregularities in the public distribution system, insufficient electricity supply, inadequate staffing in healthcare centres, poor road infrastructure, and general service delivery gaps.

The Council urged the Governor to facilitate immediate government intervention to address these persistent issues and ensure equitable development in the hill districts. Governor Bhalla assured the delegation that their concerns would be relayed to the appropriate authorities for timely redressal.