Imphal: The drivers in Manipur observed “Drivers’ Day” today. Paying homage to the drivers who lost their lives on line of duty marked the event which various drivers’ bodies organized at their respective levels.
The drivers’ community in Manipur has been observing January 14 as Drivers’ Day every year since 1991. Various unions of the commercial vehicle drivers observed the day at different places to pay homage to the colleagues who lost their lives while performing their duties. The main function was held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Imphal, under the aegis of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union (AMRTDMWU), the apex body of the driver community of the state.
AMRTDMWU general secretary, Maimom Anilkumar said that the drivers of Manipur have been confronting all odds to perform their duties. It was only after the drivers protested and highlighted their plights, the state government recognized their sacrifices in the society by providing family of the deceased drivers with compensations, he said. “We should all understand the hardship and pain we are taking for the people of the state and help them in every little way we can,” he added.
The general secretary of the drivers’ body also drew the attention of the concerned authorities in the improvement of the conditions of the national highways, while asserting that the bad condition of highways is also another main reason for the loss of lives of many drivers. He pointed out that the condition of the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 which is considered to be the second lifeline of the state is deteriorating with every passing day owing to poor maintenance. At the same time. he lauded the concerned authorities for completion of two new RCC bridges along the highway.
With the drivers going on participating in the observation of the day, most of the commercial transport vehicles, inter-state freight trucks, inter-state buses and inter-district passenger buses stayed off the road for the day. Main highlights of the observance functions were to honour retired drivers and payment of floral tributes to the drivers who lost their lives while discharging their duties.
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