Body flays indecision on parking lots
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 16 2012:
Along with formation of a drivers' union of diesel autorickshaw operators plying on the Imphal-Lilong route, the passenger service providers are all set to lobby with the Government officials for reinstating auto parking spot at the previous site.
Decision to form the union christened 'NH-39 Diesel Auto Drivers' Union' was taken at a meeting held this morning at Singjamei Waikhom Leikai.
Strongly lamenting indecision of the Transport Department authorities to identify a proper parking space for the autorickshaws plying on the said route and frequent harassments by police and traffic police personnel, Union general secretary RK Bimol suggested that the earlier parking area be reserved for them.
Urging the Transport Directorate to finalise their parking area within December 24, he also cautioned that the Union might launch agitation in case the proposal fails to evoke positive response.
While the meeting was still on some auto drivers stopped their colleagues from plying on the Imphal-Lilong route at Waikhom Leikai area to ensure their participation at the meeting with the passengers urged to use other modes of public transport.
Asserting that diesel autorickshaw operators have been paying relevant tax and operating with due permission of the Transport Department, one of the union members regretted that auto drivers are frequently targeted by both the police and traffic control personnel even though traffic jams are caused due to absence of a definite/permanent traffic regulation system in the capital city.
Citing an instance the member said at the time of Manipur Sangai Festival, diesel auto operators were made to take the Moirangkhom-Keishamthong-Wahengbam Leikai road and park their vehicles at Nagamapal.
As Nagamapal is already a congested area, the same area utilised as parking sites for auto rickshaws only complicated the problem, he pointed out with apparent reference to impromptu traffic management.