Roadways in Manipur

Roads are the lifeline of the people of the state as the only means of transport for the state is the surfaced communication and road link in the accessible terrains. As such road has a special importance as vital infrastructure for economic development of the state. High priority is given in the plans and programme for construction of roads to develop the economy.

National Highway:

National Highway is a highway which is declared as such under the National Highway Act, 1956. The National Highway system is the primary road grid of the state.

Highways and roads are regarded as arteries and veins of a state which are essential for its growth. The main artery of communication is the National High-way No.39 connecting lmphal with Dimapur in the neighboring state of Nagaland. It runs through Mao in the extreme north of Manipur to the International border town of Moreh in the south-east. Dimapur is the railhead for road traffic to the state and in fact, this road is for so long her life line. The road passes through the hilly area of Senapati District and part of Nagaland Hill touching Kohima in between. The transport cost on this road is very high in view of frequent landslides on the hill tracts, restriction of transport services during night time due to unexpected events and one way trade movement because of little exports from Manipur.

Another road of' considerable economic importance is the 225 kms. long National Highway No. 53 viz. New Cachar Road, connecting Imphal with Jirighat in Manipur Assam border. It passes through dense forests and difficult terrains of Tamenglong District which remained, by far, the most inaccessible district in the state. The opening of this road brings the District closer to other parts, helps in exploring untapped resources of the district and give incentives for more production and general development besides being a second life- line for the state. For this, State of Manipur, the road needs further development in order to be the main life- line of the state.

State Highways and Major District Roads:

The state Highways and major district roads form the secondary road system and take care of collection and distributary functions. The total length of State Highways was 1623kms. at the end of March, 1998 and it has decreased to 675 kms. by the end of March, 1999 showing a decrease of 58.41 percent over the previous year. The total length of State Highways in the state has remained unchanged till the end of 31st March, 2002. The total length of the National Highways and State High-ways as on 31st March 2005 was 967 kms and 668 kms respectively.

The road length maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Zilla Parishad (ZP) was 8.648 thousand kms. as on 31st March 2005. The classification of this road length (8.648 kms.) according to category of road viz. National Highways, State Highways, Major District Roads, Other District Roads, Inter Village Roads and OMNP are presented in table which is given below.

Length of Road in Manipur:

(In kms.)

- Nat Avaialable

Source: Economic Survey Manipur 2008-09

During the period from 1998-99 to 2001-2002 the length of National High-way, State Highways, Major District Roads, Other District Road and Inter Village Roads remained stagnant at 957 kms., 675 kms. 964 kms., 1013 kms and 3563 kms. respectively. The length of National Highways, state High- ways, Major District Roads, Others Districts Road and Inter village Roads as on 31st March 2005 were 967 kms., 668 kms., 964 kms., 1013 kms. and 5036 kms. respectively. Of the total road length the surfaced and unsurfaced road length were 52.88 percent and 47.12 percent respectively.

Road transport:

Road transport is the most dominant mode of transport in the state. There is consumers preference for this mode of transport as it has advantages of timeliness in the movement of goods and passengers.

Manipur State Road Transport Corporation:

In view of the geographical feature of Manipur, Road Transport is the only cheap and quick means of transport for the state. Consequently, there is need for greater thrust towards providing safe, comfortable, cheap and adequate facilities for transportation of passengers and essential commodities. With this in view, the existence of a State Road Transport Corporation Ltd. and its improvement is essential in the public interest.

The Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) plays an important social role in covering areas/routes which are not considered attractive and profitable for the private sector road transport enterprises. The fleet position for the year 2001-2002 were 25 buses, 29 trucks, and 3 (three) light vehicles.

Greater mobility of people has a crucial role in the economic and social growth of the country. Public sector role in passenger transport has been increasing since enactment of the Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950 which provided efficient, economic, adequate and coordinating public transport on business principles. MSRTC has played a very important role in bringing national integrity and communal harmony by operating its services in the remote areas.

Motor Vehicle:

Motor transport is primarily responsibility of the state Government. The number of motor vehicle registered in the state as on 31^st March 2008 was 1,46,730 showing an increase of 6.43 percent over that of the previous year. Of the total number of vehicles in operation as on 31^st March 2008 in the state, 71.88% were two wheeler, 2.79% were three wheelers (Auto Rickshaw) 15.60 percent were light motor vehicles (Cars, Jeeps, Taxi) and 7.84% were heavy motor vehicles (buses, trucks). The details of motor vehicles in operation in the state are presented in the table below.

Source: Economic Survey Manipur 2008-09