Does Manipur need VIP sensitive traffic light ?

Seram Neken *

Traffic Chaos in Imphal

To VIP vehicles;
RED implies GO,
YELLOW signifies GO and
GREEN indicates GO.
Everywhere is their Parking Area and no road is ONE-WAY to them.

Sale and registration of vehicles should be limited according to the size of roads and parking spaces available. Mandatory training should precede issue of driving licenses by the Transport Department. State Transport Policy should be holistically framed in collaboration with the Public Works Department, Town Planning, Home Department, Education, Power and Industries. Traffic personnel need to be trained and empowered to implement traffic regulations without fear and prejudice. Communication aspect of traffic control and regulations should be on top priority in order to educate the public commuters.

The helpless traffic police murmured with utmost desperation. The busy commuters scolded in futility. As one of the passers-by in the hectic congestion, I felt piety for the poor Traffic personnel who always face the situation "Nung Anigi Marakta Haa". It happened a week back at Singjamei Chingamakhong Traffic point, while I was heading towards Khwairamband Keithel in my car. As the Red Light signal was suddenly on, all stopped for a while.

As we eagerly awaited the Green signal for the move, a flagged vehicle probably belonging to a minister hurriedly joined the queue. The squad seemed too impatient to be in line. Its escorts abruptly came down and abused the traffic police on duty with "Mantri Lak Esee Udra" (Don't you see the Minister coming?)

Hurriedly clearing the blockage, the VIP squad passed smoothly. The furious public had nothing to do, except back-biting the attitude of security escorts. I strongly felt the need to sensitize the VIPs first before making the general public aware on traffic rules.

Most Ministers and MLAs in the present government already experienced the inconveniences of city roads, while they used to ride their old two wheelers before their coming to power. As they are now in flag-post VIP vehicles along with armed escorts and siren blows in congested roads, they seem to have forgotten their recent past.

To the dismay of all, vehicles of most Ministers and MLAs freely break traffic rules. Interestingly, traffic signals seem inapplicable to them. Who will obey the rules, when most of the honourable law makers of the state break them willingly?

The VIPs, their pilots and escorts need to be sensitized on traffic rules, before we educate the general commuters. It is also childish on the part of the government to frequently change the city traffic arrangements and regulations. Temporary arrangements are implemented from time to time likely at the whims of certain police officers.

Helmet use drives, prohibition of tinted vehicle glasses, clearing street vendors, parking adherences etc. have all been evidently short-lived. These measures have never been successful, as they are bereft of any policy guideline.

Of course, a transport policy of the state is on the making. Will it be successful to a state, where the leaders have the habit of overriding the public in every aspect ? Security personnel of all hues often supersede the queues in oil pumps, LPG distributors, ATMs etc. taking advantage of their being in active service.

VIP vehicles used to park at random, irrespective of whether its 'No Parking' area or 'Parking' area. One-way rule is not adhered to by them. Those managing the traffic and the parking inside Khwairamband Bazar find a hard time to deal with security and VIP vehicles. The general public can well be instructed to follow the rules, but the case is different for the people-in-power. Will the transport policy keep separate provisions for the VIPs and security personnel?

Is there any check on the sale and registration of vehicles? Does the transport department put limitations on the new registrations, taking into account the size of roads and parking spaces available? Do any examination and training precede issue of driving licenses? Under what criteria, driving licenses are issued by the Transport Department?

Frequent road accidents are caused due to immature and inexperienced drivers, besides the inefficient roads and parking spaces. The Sewerage project under construction in Imphal city is over qualified to be in book of world records, for being the longest ever project of the state.

Notwithstanding the technical aspect of the project, it is generally doubted whether the ongoing sewerage programme will be operational after completion. Clearing the disturbances on city passages besides widening the existing roads are called for in reducing traffic congestion.

Which agency is managing the vehicle parking in the city? How much revenue is earned from parking collections and where it is being utilized? Insufficiency in parking spaces in the city can easily be overcome with vacation of educational institutions and offices located inside the heavily crowded Khwairamband Bazar.

Then, why does not the government plan shifting of government offices and schools from there? If the government is really pondering over an effective transport policy for freeing the city congestion, it must first reallocate existing premises to give room for public parking and street vendors.

The situation has apparently compelled the government to plan for shifting the Raj Bhavan, the Johnstone Higher Secondary school, the Nirmala Bas School, State Family welfare office etc. which lie at the heart of Imphal city. Vacating such huge premises in favour of public commuters and poor street vendors will amount to delivering justice by the government.

Any traffic policy will not succeed, unless new spaces are created in the city.