Supply Chain Crisis Leaves 1,000 Trucks Stranded in Manipur

Imphal: One thousand trucks and oil tankers sit motionless between Jiribam and Jirighat. These vehicles carry essential supplies destined for Imphal. They have been stuck since July 26 because there are no security convoys to guide them. Officials confirmed the gridlock on Monday. The congestion is blocking smaller vehicles on the route.

National Highway-37 has become a bottleneck. Authorities increased convoy sizes from 100 to 150 vehicles, but it is not enough. Eight companies of the Central Reserve Police Force handle convoy duties now. The traffic pressure remains too high for current security levels. Poor road conditions make the 222-km journey a nightmare. Empty trucks now take three days to travel. Loaded vehicles need up to five days.

Drivers wait five to ten days just to join a convoy. Fuel and LPG tankers move first. Transporters and Drivers Council president Hijam Ranjit demands immediate action to stop the frequent jams. "The repeated traffic blockades are affecting the supply chain and creating hardships for drivers as well as security personnel," Ranjit said. The council wants more security escorts and urgent repairs to the damaged highway to keep goods moving.