Imphal, January 25 2009: The Government of Manipur is planning to construct 10 parking lots for city buses in greater Imphal area.

An official source in the Department of Transport informed The Sangai Express that identification of the areas where the parking lots would be constructed has been completed.

The greater Imphal areas identified for construction of city bus parking lots are Sekmai, Lilong, Wangoi, Nambol, Pangei, Irilbung, Top Moirangkampu, Lamlong, Lamsang and Keithelmanbi along NH-53 .

According to the State Government's estimation, construction of each parking lot would cost Rs 10 lakhs.

As such, the State Government has proposed the total estimated amount of Rs 100 lakhs to the Centre.

Once the planned parking lots are constructed, city buses coming to Imphal city from different direction will not be allowed to park in the city area.

After passing through Imphal, buses should park at the proposed parking lots in greater Imphal area, conveyed the source adding that the new initiative will be able to reduce the ever increasing traffic congestion in Imphal city.

The State Government is also planning to construct terminals for inter-district buses in all the nine districts.

Estimated at Rs one crore for each terminal, the Government is proposing another Rs 9 crores for the bus terminals to the Centre.

Noting that the section of NH-39 passing through Senapati district is prone to landslides during rainy season, the State Government is also working on a plan to construct an inter-State bus terminal at Mao.

The inter-State bus terminal at Mao would also provide accommodation to stranded drivers and helpers in times of landslide along the highway, informed the source.

Preparation of detail project report for the proposed inter-State bus terminal has been already completed.

Moreover, construction work of the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Dewlahland having parking capacity of 300 buses at a time would also be taken up soon.

For the bus terminal at Dewlahland, the Government of India has already sanctioned Rs 9.135 crores.

From this amount, Rs 3.01 crores have been spent on purchasing land by Imphal Municipal Council while another Rs 2.58 crores have been given as compensation for demolition of buildings leased out by IMC.

Construction work of the ISBT would be taken up shortly with the remaining amount of around Rs 4 crores.

The ISBT will have Jatrik Niwas, rest platform, water treatment plant, fire fighting system, bus bay, booking counter, administrative block, security kiosk and compound wall.

The terminal would also have proper electrification, landscaping and drainage.

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