Diesel autos likely to have exceeded 30,000
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 31 2016:
The total number of diesel autos which have been cited as one predominant factors for traffic congestion in Imphal city is likely to have exceeded 30,000 in the State.
A report published in media by the United Diesel Auto Owners and Drivers Union on May 13, 2013 said that the total number of diesel autos was 20,000.But the State Transport Department and Manipur Diesels which deals in diesel autos among other types of vehicles expressed strong reservation against the same report.
If the figure quoted by the United Diesel Auto Owners and Drivers Union was assumed to be true, the total number of diesel autos could have exceeded 30,000 now.
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Commenting on the ongoing campaign of The Sangai Express, one key functionary of an auto drivers' union, on condition of anonymity, rejected the Transport Director's statement that there were around 6000 diesel autos which has been issued permits.
He maintained that the Director's statement might have been drawn from false information given by subordinate staff.
When permits are issued for a particular parking lot, permits were issued for only eight autos.
Yet, 50 to 100 autos were allowed to operate to and from the particular parking lot.
The Transport Director might be saying that there were 6000 autos based on the official records that only eight permits were issued for each parking lot, he said.
There are many educated unemployed people in the State.
But the Transport Department and the Traffic Control Police (TCP) need to ponder whether allowing unlimited number of diesel autos on the roads of Imphal city is advisable in the name of ensuring self-employment among unemployed people.
Wahengbam Leikai road, Nagamapal road, BT road, BT Road-MPP office road and many other roads of Khwairamband Keithel are literally choking with diesel autos.
They are also causing serious noise pollution.
He further dismissed the excuse that there was shortage of manpower.
Salaried time-keepers are stationed at Wahengbam Leikai and Nagamapal.
People can see at these places whether the Government agencies are pulling up defaulters or collecting money.
They see diesel autos as ATM booths for withdrawing currency notes of Rs 10, he added.