The conflict that erupts since 3rd May 2023 in Manipur have paralyzed the transportation system disrupting mobility, trade and access to essential services in the state. Frequent conflicts have resulted in the destruction of roads, bridges and other important infrastructure through direct attacks or collateral damage. The crucial National Highways like NH-2 and NH-37 for connecting the state to other parts of India are often blockaded. Blockades have resulted in shortages of fuel, food and other essential commodities. Even public and private vehicles face the risk of attacks making inter-district travel unsafe.
In the present situation of the state, air travel has emerged as the most reliable and only safety means of transportation. But on the other hand, reliance on airways also comes with many challenges such as high ticket costs, limited flight availability etc. Many passengers particularly students, patients and low-income families find it difficult to afford the skyrocketing air ticket prices. This made people to postpone or even cancel their essential travels. The state Government has undertaken several initiatives to address transportation challenges and enhance connectivity for its residents the problem of the people by introducing helicopter service like resumption of Inter-District public transport services, introduction of helicopter service and other facilities. To improve connectivity, the state government recently introduced new flight services of Alliance Air viz Imphal-Guwahati-Imphal, Imphal-Kolkata-Imphal and Imphal-Dimapur-Imphal with ticket fare between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 twice a week under Viability Gap Funding Scheme.
On interacting with some of the passengers, they expressed their problems faced on bearing their transportation expenses and other problems in the last twenty months. Thounoujam Shyamsundar Luwang from Kangla Sangomshang, Imphal East who works at Maram, Senapati district expressed that in the last 20 months going to the workplace and coming back home is a big problem for him. Now, he spent Rs2000 on purchasing a one-way flight(helicopter) which was earlier possible by maximum of Rs 500. The helicopter service is only once a week with only 11 passengers. It is more problematic during heavy rains and adverse weather conditions as flights are cancelled. In case of emergencies and other urgency, he used to travel from Dimapur or Dibrugarh or Guwahati to reach Imphal which is very expensive and time consuming as it cannot be waited for another week since Imphal-Maram-Imphal helicopter service operates once a week. Considering all these problems he hardly comes to his house which was possible for him returning home every weekend, Mr Luwang added. Even some of his colleagues had left their jobs owing to difficulties stemming from the ongoing conflict.
An anonymous who have an extensive travel experience stated that the recent introduction of new flight taken by the state government is a welcoming step. But it can only benefit to some section of travelers as it is operational to only a specific air service provider and days. He expressed that in the last twenty months he had an extensive travels for his academic and personal works to different states where he spent huge amount for air tickets. All his savings were spent on buying air tickets. As air way is the only means of transport as people are unable to traverse along the National Highways due to the ongoing conflict, the authorities need to offer air tickets at a very subsidized which is more affordable even by a low income family. Particularly students, players and patients travelling from Imphal to other cities and vice versa need to be considered, he added.
A parent from Imphal West whose children are chess players narrated that for participating tournaments organized outside Manipur requires a huge amount of money for air tickets. For a chess player it need to be explore and learn more by participating at rated tournaments but it is very expensive as three of them are travelling. So they participate only one tournament in a year outside the state which is also a financial burden for them. He also expressed that he will be very happy if the concerned authorities announce some special air travel package especially for the players participating tournaments outside Manipur. Many players of the state fail to participate many tournaments as they are not able to bear the air ticket expenses. Encouraging the players will help in bring more laurels for the state of Manipur.
Talking with another extensive traveler, Lakpolakpam Komol Singh (79yrs) from Khundrakpam, Imphal East asserted that he had travel more than 20 times to Guwahati and Shillong for his personal works in the last two years. He spent around Rs3500 to Rs7000 for a single trip. This is unaccepted gift presented by the ongoing conflict to the people of the state. Because of the situation, many pilgrims from Manipur have not visited any religious places at other parts of the country which creates disconnection with the rest of the country. Bearing the expenses of air fare creates financial deficit of many families in Manipur which contribute to the economic deficit of Manipur leading to increase in price of all essential commodities. This will act as an obstacle in the pace of development of the state. Inability of the authorities to provide free and safe travel on their own land is a violation of fundamental rights of the citizens, he added.
There are many more untold stories of sufferings, resilience and loss caused by the ongoing conflict in the state of Manipur. The consequences of prolong violence are multifaceted, touching and affecting every aspect of life. Concerned authorities need to take up more efforts to regulate airfare, provide subsidies or to increase flight frequency of all the service providers during this unrest situation of Manipur. It will help in mitigating the issues faced by the passengers. The pertinent question here is – When normalcy will be restore in the state and will ensure all means of transport safe and functional? Addressing and resolving the underlying conflict situation of Manipur without delay is the only aspiration and ultimate desire of every peace loving individual of the state.
