Senapati Truckers Demand BLS Ambulance for Accident-Prone NH-2 Stretch
Truck drivers and owners in Manipur’s Senapati district have urged the state government to deploy a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance and a dedicated recovery van along accident-prone highway stretches in the region.
The memorandum was submitted under the aegis of the North East Federation of Trade Unions(NEFTU) by the Senapati District Truck Drivers Union and the Senapati District Truck Owners Association. The delegation presented the request to Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho during a public event at the district headquarters on Sunday.
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Accident-Prone Zones Highlighted
The memorandum points to hazardous sections of National Highway 2, particularly the stretch from Mao Gate to Senapati district headquarters, as well as adjoining corridors connecting through Nagaland.
Truckers cited:
• Narrow and winding hill roads
• Poor road conditions and landslide-prone areas
• Sharp curves and steep gradients
• Heavy movement of goods vehicles
According to the unions, these factors frequently lead to road mishaps, especially involving long-distance transport trucks.
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Lack of Emergency Medical Support
Drivers and transport workers stressed that the absence of a stationed BLS ambulance in the area has created life-threatening delays during accidents.
In many cases:
• Victims must be transported in private vehicles or goods carriers.
• They travel long distances before reaching proper medical facilities.
• Critical “golden hour” emergency care is often missed.
They also highlighted the absence of a recovery van or crane service, which results in stranded vehicles blocking traffic for extended periods, worsening congestion and increasing the risk of secondary accidents.
The memorandum states that the lack of immediate emergency response infrastructure has caused avoidable suffering and, in some instances, loss of lives.
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Deputy CM’s Response
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho assured the union representatives that he would place the matter before the concerned departments for necessary action. He acknowledged the efforts of the unions in working for public welfare and road safety.
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About NEFTU
The North East Federation of Trade Unions was formed on November 30, 2021, with representatives from eight northeastern states — Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The federation focuses on:
• Protecting the rights of transport workers
• Addressing welfare issues in the logistics sector
• Advocating for safer working conditions
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Why the Demand Matters
The Mao Gate–Senapati stretch is a crucial supply corridor connecting Manipur to other northeastern states and the rest of India. Ensuring the availability of a BLS ambulance and recovery support could significantly:
• Reduce fatality rates in road accidents
• Improve emergency response time
• Ease traffic congestion after crashes
• Enhance overall highway safety
With increasing freight movement in the region, transport workers argue that emergency infrastructure must match the scale of operations.
