The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to order an independent investigation into the ongoing construction of National Highway-37, alleging serious irregularities in the execution of the project by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The council alleged that despite years of construction and the expenditure of substantial public funds, there has been little noticeable improvement along several stretches of the highway. It claimed that the poor condition of the road has led to frequent vehicle breakdowns, longer travel time, road accidents and considerable financial losses for transport operators.
According to the TDC, inadequate monitoring of construction activities has also contributed to landslides at several locations during the monsoon season, leaving both loaded and unloaded vehicles stranded in vulnerable areas and creating law and order concerns.
The organisation further alleged that NHIDCL had subcontracted significant portions of the project to multiple contractors without ensuring adequate supervision, resulting in poor-quality construction and limited accountability.
Questioning the utilisation of public funds, the council maintained that the lack of visible progress despite heavy expenditure necessitates a detailed investigation. It has demanded a time-bound inquiry by an independent high-level committee along with comprehensive technical and financial audits of the work carried out so far.
Describing National Highway-37 as Manipur’s second lifeline, the TDC said the deteriorating condition of the road has adversely affected the transport sector through vehicle damage, operational delays, accidents, financial losses and incidents of looting by miscreants.
The council has also called for the Ministry to identify and take action against any officials or contractors found responsible for alleged misappropriation of funds or criminal negligence. It further sought the public disclosure of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR), the status of fund releases and the physical progress of the work to ensure greater transparency.
In addition, the organisation urged the Ministry to direct NHIDCL to undertake immediate repairs of the most severely damaged sections of the highway while enforcing strict quality control over all ongoing construction activities.
The TDC warned that it would resort to democratic protests if its demands were not addressed. NHIDCL has not issued any response to the allegations.
