IMPHAL, Jul 24: The drivers and passengers who are stranded along the NH-53 due to heavy traffic jam for the last many days are now in big trouble with no proper food and shelter and some of them reported to be developing symptoms similar to malarial fever.

These drivers and passengers have been stranded near Khambirol, Barak, Shantipur Khunou and Sibilong areas for more than a week owing to heavy traffic jam along the NH-53 which has been reduced to a single motorable lane due to the deplorable condition of the road.

Free flow of traffic from either side has been severely restricted owing to the condition of the road. Both inbound and outbound vehicles have been stranded mid-way on the highway making it very difficult for any vehicle to pass by.

As many drivers and commuters have commented, the situation at the NH-53 is akin to the “Chakravyhu” of the epic Mahabharata signifying that there is no exit if someone enters the area.

The drivers and passengers are now running acutely short of food supplies, and are without proper shelter and toilet facilities at the places where they are stranded presently.

One of the passengers by the name Kishore from Kwakeithel, reported to IFP that the stranded people are facing shortage of food, shelter and toilet facilities. They have to buy rice and other food items at a very high rate from few local shops. The price of raw rice is about Rs. 45 per kilogram and simple prepared meals are being sold at about Rs. 100 in some hotels, he said.

“Besides shortage of food, the people are also facing problems of shortage of medicines and other essential items in these places. The health conditions of many people have deteriorated and some have developed symptoms of malarial fever raising apprehensions among the people about the possibility of outbreak of malaria in these places. The places where the stranded commuters are taking shelter have been earlier identified as malaria prone areas,” Kishore noted.

“There are very less chances that the affected areas could be opened up for traffic within a short period of time and the problems of the stranded people are being aggravated with each passing day. The concerned authorities should make necessary arrangements to clear the traffic as soon as possible,” he stated while highlighting the anxieties of the people stranded along the highway.

Drivers and transporters further believe that the situation could be improved somewhat if the concerned authorities make a roster system for the inbound and outbound vehicles on the NH-53 to prevent traffic jams from occurring on the road.

Meanwhile, the Transporters and Drivers Council of Manipur under the guidance of DGP Manipur has been trying to ensure free flow of traffic along the NH-53 where thousands of vehicles have been stranded due to traffic jams on the single motorable lane.