We have passed that time when we could rely on only one highway to connect us to the rest of the world. The development work at NH-53 is going on in full swing but at the same time the Government should also put on its thinking cap and see where an alternative route can be charted out.

Manipur University is set to survey a route, which is popularly known as the Ganja Route and connects Imphal with Jiribam. According to initial estimates the distance between Imphal and Jiribam on this route will be only about 140 kms, which is much lesser than the 220 or so kms between Imphal and Jiribam on NH-53. The proposed route will divert from Ningthoukhong and then proceed to Kom Keirap and then Tipaimukh and finally Gwakhal in Jiribam.

What is more, this route is believed to pass through comparatively lower topography when compared to the hair pin bends along NH-53. This route sounds promising and despite the presence of militants, as stated by Union Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee, some days back, this route may be opened to traffic with a little effort from the State Government. The Centre too should be ready to pump in the required funds for the development of this route.

Manipur is a land locked State and despite the pending Jiri-Tupul rail line, no efforts should be spared to ensure that the State has alternative routes so that no one or any organization can choke off the supply route to the people. Manipur has suffered long enough due to the imposition of various types of blockade on the highways, and NH-39 has gained notoriety down the years for being used as a tool to cut off the food route of the people.

With so many issues facing the State and with the presence of so many different pressure groups, each with their own set of agenda, Manipur certainly needs more than one or two routes to ensure that the people are not held to ransom by blocking off the highways.

What is needed at the moment is the political will and the sincerity to execute a job. The co-operation of the people is also highly needed for the success of any projects to see the light of day and this co-operation is all that much more needed when the Government takes up a project such as developing NH-53 or implementing a plan to lay down another route for the people.

The proposed Ganja Route will definitely face technical and financial problems, but then there is no positive project that can be achieved without a little sweat and we should be ready to sweat it out for the future of the land.

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)