IMPHAL, March 11: Transporters’ and Drivers’ Council president H Ranjit has today claimed that the frequent breakdown of the Barak Bridge was due to the failure of the BRO to follow the GESC Company Technical Manual during construction of the bridge.
He further demanded the State government to clarify on the issue surrounding the frequent breakdown at the earliest before tension erupts.
Speaking at a press conference at the MG Avenue office of the TDC, Ranjit said that if the guideline of the GESC Company norms was followed, the Barak Bridge could have facilitate the 40 tonne weight capacity.
He further alleged an arrangement between the State Transport directorate and the BRO in declaring that trucks loaded with less than 24 tonnes only will be allowed upon the bridge, he alleged.
He said this has only raised a suspicion of a hidden agenda.
If the BRO had followed the GESC manual in construction of the bridge along the NH 37, all trucks and vehicles could have passed along the road without any hindrances, he said.
However, since the NH 37 is facing problems frequently, the truckers could only move along the NH 2, along which anti-social elements collect illegal tax throughout the year, he said.
If the vehicles move along the NH 37, the anti-social elements collecting taxes will suffer loss, however, if the vehicles move along the NH 2 they will gain, so the frequent breakdown of the bridge has indirectly supported the anti-social elements collecting illegal taxes from Manipur vehicles, he added.
Amidst all these, the Transport directorate has issued a gazette notification restricting the trucks travelling along the NH 37 especially while passing along the bridge to just 24 tonnes including vehicle, he said.
While along the NH 2, trucks are given a free hand, he added.
This disparity in weight is against a Supreme Court ruling and the All India norm, he added.
He demanded the transport directorate to withdraw its gazette notification at the earliest.
He further added that the Chief Secretary of Manipur has already instructed the BRO to maintain All India Motor Vehicle Act and to re-enforce the components of the bridge to strengthen it.
No hindrances should be given to truck drivers at Jiribam and Jirighat, he demanded.
We know that NHs are under the National Highways Authority of India and any complain should be filed to NHAI, he said demanding as to how the directorate had issued the notification.
Ranjit further drew the attention of the Chief Minister and Transport minister to clarify on the issue.