On Banning of Vehicles at Twin Paona and Thangal Bazar
6 January 2016
Manipur Cycle Club (MCC) would like to appreciate the State Transport Department, Government of Manipur for the new rules and regulation of parking on the Thangal and Paona bazaar route. It is hoped that by disallowing parking of all kinds of vehicles much of the difficulties faced by shoppers, shop owners and residents alike will be greatly reduced.
MCC would like to recall that in September 2012, the same stretch of Paona and Thangal Bazar was declared as pedestrian zone by the government. Restrictions on vehicles, was placed in effect between 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm. In the intervening two-hour gap normal plying of light motor vehicles and hand carts was allowed. Residents certified by authorities of having their own garages were exempted. Such bold and innovative move of the government was widely reported even in National papers. However, this experiment was hurriedly stopped after three months due to pressure from shop owners and residents. Shop owners presume that by not allowing vehicles their sales would dip, and similarly the residents wanted to reach their homes by their own vehicle. These conditions remain and not much has been done to address these concerns.
By allowing vehicles to enter or pass through the busy market areas, the first impact is on the health of the shopkeepers and permanent residents. Long term exposure to polluted air leading to respiratory problems is a well established fact. While a study has not been conducted in the Paona and Thangal Bazar areas, we are sure that those who have spent some good years in the market would most likely have had some respiratory ailments. Consequently, the little earnings of the owners and the monthly income of the shopkeepers will drain into health maintenance. We understand that this reason is good enough to regulatet vehicles coming inside this market area.
The second view is that, by allowing vehicles to park in the market areas, it crowds out shoppers. Currently, there are vehicles of permanent residents of the market areas, shop-owners, shop-keepers and those who come to offices such as that of the banks, which are parked the whole day. In addition, people who come to shop may park for a few minutes or longer period according to their necessity. The diesel autos add to the increasing congestion and noise pollution. One thing is clear, permanent residents must not use public road/space as their private parking lots. It is like keeping your refrigerator on the road! If they have a car, they must have a garage in their private residence or find a parking space somewhere else.
For shop owners and keepers, it would be wise to keep their vehicles away from the market areas as their vehicles are bound to displace possible shopkeepers looking for a space to park or walk. The idea that a person who has come to shop has to bring his or her vehicle near the doorstep of the shop is misplaced. When everyone brings their vehicles inside, it leads to a very noisy, un-healthy and chaotic shopping experience. Congestion will not help increase business, but will be responsible for stagnation by the sheer number of vehicles, pollution and congestion.
Another issue of concern is the use of public road as private parking space. Most buildings do not have inbuilt parking lots and as a result, public roads and footpaths are converted into parking lots. The Public Works Department (PWD) office is a fine example. The cars and motor bikes parked outside these hotels and offices have become extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. It is unethical for office structures and business establishments to use public space as their own private parking lots. Strict building codes must be enforced so that these structures have their own parking areas.
Regarding parking fees, MCC proposes that where parkings are allowed, the fee must match the real estate value of the land occupied by the vehicle and the cost of the structures built for the purpose. The fee in other words must match with the real cost and that no parking should be subsidized by the government. The current charge of rupees ten per hour for cars and five for two wheelers, does not reflect any of the real costs. Preferably, Rs 50 per hour for cars and Rs 25 per hour for two wheelers can help people rethink whether they really need to bring their private vehicles on the road or not. These tax then can be utilized to run the much needed public transport services.
Manipur Cycle Club
President
MCC Manipur Cycle Club
Chingmeirong Maning Leikai,
Imphal East 795001, Manipur.
Ph-0385-2422269
* This Press Relese was sent to e-pao.net by Ram Wangkheirakpam, Manipur Cycle Club who can be contacted at wangkheilakpa(aT)gmail(doT)com
This Press Release was posted on January 07 2016
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