Parking near Police Headquarters irks many
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2016: Even though the road near the Manipur Police Headquarters and the General Post Office is one of the busiest roads in the State capital apart from being the starting point of the Imphal-Moreh highway, around 400 to 500 vehicles are parked on either side of the road everyday thereby creating a lot of difficulties to people travelling along the particular road stretch.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), OBC department chairman Moirangthem Koba of Kongba Keithel told The Sangai Express that people are aggrieved by the long rows of vehicles parked on either side of the road stretch everyday with the exception of holidays.

Traffic system in Manipur

Pointing out that the road forms a part of an international highway, Koba decried that the way law enforcing agencies have been dealing with vehicular traffic at the particular road stretch incommodes not only the people of Manipur but also foreign travellers.

L Ibomcha of Kha-Imphal Keisham Leikai pointed out that diesel autos are largely responsible for congestion within Khwairamband Keithel.

He also expressed keen desire for the Government authorities to restrict the number of diesel autos which are permitted to move inside Khwairamband Keithel.

Time-keepers should be employed at all starting points of the routes where diesel autos operate so that only four/five diesel autos enter Khwairamband Keithel at a time.

However, these days around 200 to 300 diesel autos are present inside Khwairamband Keithel from dawn till late evening everyday.

Authorities should stop letting diesel autos inside Khwairamband Keithel after taking Rs 10 from each vehicle.

At the same time, people should not park their vehicles on roads just because the areas happened to be in front of their residential gates, Ibomcha said.

One Yumnam Govind of Yumnam Leikai suggested construction of two foot-bridges near ISTV office and Shamu Makhong.

Diesel auto-driver Sagolsem Indrakumar of Yumnam Khunou remarked that Traffic Control Police (TCP) personnel are not cooperative enough when a fellow TCP personnel manning a traffic island is caught in a tense situation caused by traffic congestion.

Traffic congestion along Kangla Park-North AOC road is compounded by a large number of vehicles parked in front of Classic Hotel, Maipakpi Hospital and PWD office.

There are certain lapses in the traffic management system with TCP/police personnel asking for money rather than checking vehicles/vehicle documents.

As long as TCP officers are monitoring traffic management, traffic congestion is relatively mild.

But it gets worse, the moment they leave the scene, Indrakumar said.

Sagolband Side JAC president H Mangijao said that a large number of passenger vehicles are allowed to park in front of Aryan Theatre purportedly under an understanding with 'uniform' personnel.

Tata Winger vans, Tata Magic vans and passenger vehicles operating between Khumbong and Khwairamband are not using the parking lots allotted to them.

The drivers are parking their vehicles at all odd places where they wish and feel convenient.

Written complaints have been submitted to the Transport Commissioner, the Transport Director and the TCP but no remedial measures have been initiated till date.

One Sujata of Sagolband remarked that the traffic island of Wahengbam Leikai is no longer serving any purpose.

Majority of the diesel auto drivers only see passengers and they don't see other people around them.

People do not follow signals made by TCP personnel.

Even if people are signalled to halt, they try to move ahead at the first available opportunity.

TCP personnel may be having a hard time in managing traffic but the way they are doing their duty does not deserve appreciation, Sujata remarked.

One Robindro of Konung Mamang asked whether VDF personnel are authorised to check vehicles and take money from commuters.

Transport Department should make sure that people are aware about traffic rules and stringent action should be initiated against people who violate or defy traffic rules instead of taking Rs 10 or Rs 50, Robindro added.