CM advocates proper town planning
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 21 2012: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has strongly advocated for proper town planning and re-development of Imphal city together with the market complexes located in and around the capital in order to redress the problem of traffic congestion.

The Chief Minister was responding to a call attention motion put up by Trinamool Congress MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi and Kh Joykishan in the State Assembly today.

Ibobi remarked that traffic congestion has become a serious menace in the State capital as it is the centre of all commercial activities besides being a thickly populated residential area.

In the meantime, the number of vehicles have multiplied manifold in the last few years.

Even if the Government wishes to develop a new planned city by leaving Imphal city to its present status, there is a problem for space, Ibobi stated.

Whereas the population of Imphal city and number of vehicles have seen quantum increase, no more space is available for expansion of Imphal city.

The Government is considering to re-design and re-develop all the market complexes of Imphal city so as to reduce traffic congestion and concomitant inconveniences to some extent, the Chief Minister informed the House.

A view of traffic congestion at Imphal

To ameliorate the problem of traffic-jams, plans are afoot to expand roads from Keishampat to airport gate, Kwakeithel to Khagempalli, Singjamei to Heirangoithong, Khwairakselungba road and Thangmeiband Watham Leirak.

Moreover, it is being studied to shift away the Keishampat electricity office somewhere else to make space for development of a multi-storey parking pot.

The State Government has been lobbying with the Government of India to make a diversion road for NH-2 which passes through the heart of Imphal city from Koirengei to Canchipur.

Stating that the State Government has also been continuously consulting with experts for proper planning of Imphal city, Ibobi assured the House that his Government would welcome all suggestions from any NGO, voluntary organisations or the opposition bench.

There is no harm to deliberate the matter at an appropriate forum, he added.

Home Minister Gaikhangam explained that the task of traffic regulation is being managed by the Traffic Regulation and Parking Committee while its decisions are implemented by Traffic Police.

Imphal city can longer handle the ever-increasing traffic volume for it is an old city besides being very small in terms of space, Gaikhangam noted.

Apart from being the epicentre of all commercial activities for the entire State, Imphal City is also home to a large number of schools and Government offices which have only compounded the traffic woes.

To ease traffic congestion to some extent, two semi-low floor buses have been put into service within Imphal city.

Gaikhangam also sought suggestions regarding traffic congestion and its remedial measures from all sections of the society.

Earlier raising the call attention motion, Dr I Ibohalbi asserted that the traffic congestion in Imphal city has become a serious social issue.

Pointing out that all major roads of the city were so congested during peak hours, Dr Ibohalbi said that many employees could no longer reach their offices on time.

He asserted that it's time to re-develop Imphal city as a planned city together with the surrounding towns.

Dr Ibohalbi noted that Government departments have been taking too much time in implementing infrastructure development programmes in Imphal City.

Moreover, there is a visible lack of coordination among different departments.

He suggested that Transport Department and Traffic Police should work under an effective coordination mechanism.

He further suggested to frame a market policy for development of markets in greater Imphal and adjoining areas and also to shift away schools and offices located within Imphal city to suitable places together with development of connecting roads.

Kh Joykishan asserted that the problem of traffic congestion has been aggravated following prohibition on entry of vehicles into Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar.

He also sought attention of the Government to check entry and parking of vehicles by security forces after violating one-way norm.

He also sought attention of the Home Minister to ensure that construction and other works are carried out during night rather than during time so as to reduce traffic congestion.