Imphal: Commuters in parts of Manipur faced significant hardship and disruption to normal life due to the observance of the 37th Drivers’ Day, 2026, at the THAU Ground in Imphal West district’s Thangmeiband, on Wednesday.
As drivers participated in the observance by offering floral tributes to photographs of colleagues who lost their lives while serving the public, the state remained cut off from the rest of the country by road on the day. Around 1,500 active drivers were felicitated, in addition to honouring the families of deceased drivers.
Maimom Anil, convenor of the joint committee for the observance, said that 319 drivers who lost their lives while on duty—either due to attacks by miscreants or in accidents and other incidents since 1990—were honoured. He appealed to the public to light candles at their gates on Wednesday night in honour of the drivers and handymen who have been working tirelessly round the clock despite the challenging situation in this sensitive border state.
The observance is intended as a positive initiative to recognise drivers’ vital contributions to the economy and society and to highlight their challenging working conditions and safety risks. Various drivers’ organisations use the day to advocate better welfare measures, including health check-ups and insurance coverage.
The participating outfits included the Manipur Drivers’ Association (MDA), Highway Truck Owners’ Organisation, Senapati District Truck Drivers’ Union, Senapati District Truck Owners Association (SDTOA), All Manipur Gorkha Truck Drivers’, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers’ and Motor Workers’ Union (AMRTDMWU) and Owners’ Association, and the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Union (AMPTDU).