MAYAI LAMBI RESIDENTS BLOCK NH-137A: ROAD CRISIS IN MANIPUR ESCALATES

Residents from five localities along the Mayai Lambi stretch of National Highway NH-137A — between Keishampat Junction and Hiyangthang — staged a road blockade on October 6, 2025, demanding urgent repair of the badly deteriorated 9-kilometre road. Protesters from Pishumthong Oinam Leikai, Pishumthong, Pishumthong Ningom Leikai, Khagempalli Huidrom Leikai and Khagempalli Panthak said repeated appeals to authorities were ignored; local MLA Sapam Nishikanta blamed delays on an ongoing sewerage project and appealed for coordination between PWD and sewerage agencies to complete work now that rains have eased. The agitation continues until visible repair work begins.  

The protest involved residents from five named localities: Pishumthong Oinam Leikai, Pishumthong, Pishumthong Ningom Leikai, Khagempalli Huidrom Leikai, and Khagempalli Panthak. They gathered on the Mayai Lambi stretch and physically halted traffic on the NH-137A near Khagempalli, bringing the corridor to a standstill until authorities commit to repair work. Community members described the road as “life-threatening,” citing frequent accidents and dust-related health problems. They warned their agitation would continue until tangible action begins.  

When citizens take to the highway, it’s usually because petition letters, phone calls, and local committee meetings failed to produce results. A blockade is blunt — it forces visibility, economic pressure (delays to goods and passengers), and media attention. The message is plain: the steady dribble of complaints did not work; only a sharp disruption might.

FAQs

Q1: Which road did residents block and why?

A1: Residents blocked the Mayai Lambi stretch of NH-137A (a 9-kilometre stretch connecting Keishampat Junction to Hiyangthang) to demand urgent repairs of a badly deteriorated road after repeated appeals failed.  

Q2: Who joined the protest and what are their demands?

A2: Protesters came from five localities — Pishumthong Oinam Leikai, Pishumthong, Pishumthong Ningom Leikai, Khagempalli Huidrom Leikai, and Khagempalli Panthak — demanding that the ongoing sewerage project be expedited so PWD can commence permanent road resurfacing.  

Q3: Why hasn’t the road been repaired yet?

A3: Local officials and the MLA cited delays caused by an ongoing sewerage project along the route and repeated rain/flooding that hampered progress; resurfacing is being deferred until sewer works are completed to avoid rework.  

Q4: What immediate fixes can reduce risk before full resurfacing?

A4: Short-term measures include emergency patching of potholes, speed restrictions and signage, water-spraying to control dust, and temporary gravel overlays near habitations while long-term surfacing is scheduled.  

Q5: How can local authorities prevent similar crises in the future?

A5: Authorities should create an integrated PWD-PHED project plan with public timelines, regular progress reports, maintenance contracts with guaranteed SLAs, and a community reporting mechanism (photo+timestamp) so issues are fixed before they escalate into protests.