Heavy vehicles occupy busy road whole day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2016: A large portion of the busy road which connects MG Avenue with BT Road through Nirmala Hotel, Chamber Hospital and Social Welfare Office is occupied by heavy vehicles which are parked along the road almost everyday.

The nearby Alu Gali is also occupied by loaded as well as empty trucks.

Usually, these heavy trucks enter the core zone of Khwairamband Keithel from Kanglapat road through MG Avenue and they pass through the check points of City police station as well as TCP.

Sharing his opinion on the campaign being undertaken by The Sangai Express regarding traffic congestion and traffic management in Imphal city, one Nongthombam Rajendro suggested that loaded heavy vehicles should be allowed to enter Khwairamband Keithel only during night.

Traffic circus

Literally, the entire population of the State come to Khwairamband Keithel for shopping as all kinds of utility items and consumer goods are sold here.

Distribution of these shops at different places can certainly reduce traffic congestion and over-crowding at Imphal city, Rajendro said.

Even though TCP personnel halt trucks, diesel autos and other vehicles, the drivers seldom halt their vehicles as they throw down notes of Rs 10.Although entry of vehicles into Mapal Kangjeibung is restricted, it is the note of Rs 10 which give the vehicles access to the restricted zone.

"A truck would drive in and the TCP personnel stationed there would say no but he would draw out his hand and the truck would go in.

Such conduct of some TCP personnel create the notion that everything is possible and this contributes immensely to traffic problems", Rajendro said.

In other States, a receipt/document would be issued after checking a vehicle by Motor Vehicle officials/TCP personnel.

Then the vehicle can move freely for one month and no one would check it provided the receipt/document is displayed in front.

Such a system, if introduced in Manipur, can ease traffic congestion and harassment of drivers.

But in Manipur a vehicle is checked multiple times in a year.

For instance, a vehicle may be first checked at Mantripukhri, then at Khongnang Ani Karak, again at North AOC and again at Khoyathong crossing, he added.