Mass transport mooted to ease traffic chaos
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2010: As long as there is no mass transportation system in the State, the problem of traffic congestion cannot be solved in any effective manner, said DSP (Traffic) Victoria Yengkhom.

In an exclusive interaction with The Sangai Express, Victoria noted that traffic congestion in Imphal city became a serious problem with multiple rise in the number of light motor vehicles particularly passenger carriers.

The number of diesel auto rickshaws operating to and from Polo Ground parking is around 2000 .

Even as these auto rickshaws are allowed to stay idle only for five minutes at the parking, the parking spot remains quite congested due to the sheer number of auto rickshaws operating from the parking.

Traffic chaos/congestion at a crossing in Imphal

The number of Tata Magic vans operating to and from the same parking is around 900.They are also allowed to park only for five minutes.

Likewise, the number of passenger carriers like Tata Magic vans, Winger vans, diesel auto-rickshaws and Tata Sumo jeeps operating from other parkings such as GM Hall, Moreh Parking, Uripok, Nagamapal, Sagolband, Wahengbam Leikai, Thoubal Parking etc have also increased manifold.

However, the number of passenger buses operating from Thoubal Parking has reduced considerably over the last few years following launch of Tata Magic van and diesel auto-rickshaw service along Imphal-Thoubal route.

At present, about 40 buses operate on Imphal-Thoubal route.

Arrangements to make parking space for diesel auto-rickshaws behind Johnstone Hr Secy School near BT Park have been aborted following complaints from Johnstone school students against the blaring noise by vehicles.

Subsequently, diesel auto-rickshaws were re-allotted their parking space near GM Hall.

Being entry point to Khwairamband Keithel, allotting parking space to auto-rickshaws near GM Hall has been causing serious traffic congestion in the area.

The situation gets even worse if there are public functions at GM Hall, the DSP observed.

Nevertheless, the whole arrangement of parking spaces would be reviewed once the women vendors have shifted to the newly constructed market complexes and street vendors occupying Khwairamband street-sides, flyover base, Uripok Cheirap Court road, Nagamapal road-side and others are brought to the temporary market sheds.

One major factor for the manifold rise in light passenger vehicles is the accessibility of these vehicles at each locality of Imphal and greater Imphal unlike buses which are confined to only main roads like National Highways and State Highways.

Even though it is far more convenient for passengers to travel short distances by light passenger vehicles, it is also causing serious traffic congestion at Imphal.

Another factor for traffic congestion in Imphal city is the random and haphazard manner of picking up passengers by diesel autorickshaws and Tata Magic vans from any part of roads.

In view of the heavy traffic congestion, buses coming from Thoubal side are made to divert from Thumbuthong and proceed towards Imphal city through Sanjenthong.

Likewise, trucks are stopped at Moirangkhom and Konung Mamang and they are not allowed to enter Imphal city during office hours, Victoria said.

She further appealed to drivers, passengers and the general public to obey traffic rules in order to ease traffic congestion and also avoid road accidents.

Traffic congestion can also reduced to some extent if the street vendors are given their seats in proper market sheds.

Noting that Imphal is the epicentre of all commercial activities where businessmen, traders and vendors from all the district transact their business, Victoria observed that traffic congestion in Imphal city can be mitigated if the traders and vendors diverge their activities at Kwakeithel Bazar, Singjamei Bazar, Konung Mamang, Naoremthong Bazar or Lamlong Bazar.