GUWAHATI, November 11 (TNN): As Manipur remains crippled by an economic blockade that has completed 100 days, a bridge funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) is being constructed on the Barak River in Cachar district to act as the state's new lifeline to its western border. The new route is expected to be operational by the third week of this month.
Manipur is facing one of the worst food and fuel crisis since August 1 when Kukis called a highway blockade seeking creation of Sadar Hills district by carving out a portion of Naga-majority Senapati district. A counter-blockade was imposed by United Naga Council on the Dimapur-Imphal road through Nagaland and on the longer Silchar-Imphal route through Assam since August 21 to oppose any move to bifurcate Naga areas.
The Kukis called off the blockade on November 1 after the3 Manipur government agreed to look into their demand and also granted three new sub-divisions. The UNC continues the blockade against Manipur government's assurance to Kukis without consulting them. The authorities concerned are maintaining a skeletal supply system on the 210-km Silchar-Imphal route which has thin Naga presence. The new route nearing completion through Assam is expected to answer Manipur's need for a new and permanent lifeline.
Assam PWD minister Ajanta Neog said, "There is a blockade on the Dimapur-Imphal road and as this has created communication problem to Manipur. The Union ministry of home affairs has requested us to help Manipur. At present, a weak bridge on the Silchar-Imphal highway is operating but with load restrictions. A new bridge with NEC funds at a distance from this bridge is on the verge of completion."
State home secretary GD Tripathi said, "The Silchar-Manipur road had become defunct because of the dilapidated condition of a bridge, but now were taking all possible measures to continue supply of at least essential commodities to Manipur." Cachar DC HK Dev Mahanta said the bridge on the Barak River at Dholaghat built by NEC is expected to be completed and is ready for inauguration by November 20. "Once it is made operational, it will serve as the lifeline to Manipur. One has to travel an additional distance of just 13 km from Silchar town to Imphal through this new bridge."
The deputy commissioner said the existing bridge at Soroghat has a single-lane. "It has become weak and we are having the viaduct repaired to keep supplies to Manipur on. Since this bridge cannot take more than 18 tons, we are allowing just one vehicle to pass at a time. Right now, we are only allowing food and fuel supplies to Manipur." There is already a road in place with World Bank funds from Silchar to the new bridge.
Once the new route becomes operational, trucks carrying essential commodities and fuel from Guwahati will travel through Shillong to take the new bridge through Silchar instead of the troubled highway through Golaghat district in Assam and Dimapur to reach Manipur.
Cachar DC said the district administration has submitted a proposal for a new bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore at Soroghat and the survey work for this is expected to be over by December. The bridge is expected to be complete in three years.
Manipur is facing one of the worst food and fuel crisis since August 1 when Kukis called a highway blockade seeking creation of Sadar Hills district by carving out a portion of Naga-majority Senapati district. A counter-blockade was imposed by United Naga Council on the Dimapur-Imphal road through Nagaland and on the longer Silchar-Imphal route through Assam since August 21 to oppose any move to bifurcate Naga areas.
The Kukis called off the blockade on November 1 after the3 Manipur government agreed to look into their demand and also granted three new sub-divisions. The UNC continues the blockade against Manipur government's assurance to Kukis without consulting them. The authorities concerned are maintaining a skeletal supply system on the 210-km Silchar-Imphal route which has thin Naga presence. The new route nearing completion through Assam is expected to answer Manipur's need for a new and permanent lifeline.
Assam PWD minister Ajanta Neog said, "There is a blockade on the Dimapur-Imphal road and as this has created communication problem to Manipur. The Union ministry of home affairs has requested us to help Manipur. At present, a weak bridge on the Silchar-Imphal highway is operating but with load restrictions. A new bridge with NEC funds at a distance from this bridge is on the verge of completion."
State home secretary GD Tripathi said, "The Silchar-Manipur road had become defunct because of the dilapidated condition of a bridge, but now were taking all possible measures to continue supply of at least essential commodities to Manipur." Cachar DC HK Dev Mahanta said the bridge on the Barak River at Dholaghat built by NEC is expected to be completed and is ready for inauguration by November 20. "Once it is made operational, it will serve as the lifeline to Manipur. One has to travel an additional distance of just 13 km from Silchar town to Imphal through this new bridge."
The deputy commissioner said the existing bridge at Soroghat has a single-lane. "It has become weak and we are having the viaduct repaired to keep supplies to Manipur on. Since this bridge cannot take more than 18 tons, we are allowing just one vehicle to pass at a time. Right now, we are only allowing food and fuel supplies to Manipur." There is already a road in place with World Bank funds from Silchar to the new bridge.
Once the new route becomes operational, trucks carrying essential commodities and fuel from Guwahati will travel through Shillong to take the new bridge through Silchar instead of the troubled highway through Golaghat district in Assam and Dimapur to reach Manipur.
Cachar DC said the district administration has submitted a proposal for a new bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore at Soroghat and the survey work for this is expected to be over by December. The bridge is expected to be complete in three years.
