Jiri parking most congested part
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2016: Sagolband Aryan Theatre area and Jiri parking area which serve as the starting point of Imphal-Jiribam highway are one of the most congested intersections of Imphal city.

Diesel autos, Tata Magic vans and Winger vans are the major factors for traffic congestion at these areas.

As for passenger vehicles which operate between Imphal and Jiribam, they occupy the area only between 9.30 am and 10 am.

It is other passenger vehicles which occupy the area throughout the day.

Travellers and commuters face a lot of problems at these areas every day particularly during office and school hours.

However, it appears TCP has done very little to address the problem.

Commenting on the campaign being undertaken by The Sangai Express on traffic management and traffic congestion at Imphal city, one Mohon of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda said that traffic congestion between Wahengbam Leikai and Sagolband Salam Leikai is largely caused by diesel autos, winger vans which operate between Imphal and Moirang/Kumbi.

Jiri parking most congested part

Although four/five TCP personnel are stationed at the area, they are in no position to manage the traffic congestion, Mohon said.

One driver of Tata Magic van who operate on Imphal-Kumbi route said, on condition of anonymity, said that picking up of passengers by diesel autos and Magic vans at any point of the road between Wahengbam Leikai and Sagolband is mainly responsible for traffic snarls along the busy road.

Even as the drivers have been told not to pick up passengers at unspecified places, they do not pay any heed.

Those who were telling drivers not to pick up passengers in the middle of the road, still allow the drivers to pick up passengers from any place they find convenient as they are concerned about filling their pockets, said the driver.

One Khumukcham Anil opined that lack of parking space or haphazard parking system is the main factor for traffic congestion in Imphal city.

As suggested by the Government parking lots may be developed at the Keishampat Electricity Office and above Naga rivulet and Nagamapal, he said.

Even though it may evoke questions about destruction/conservation of heritage, Johnstone School may be shifted a little farther away like Langol.

An exact replica of the school may be constructed in its place apart from constructing a multi-storeyed parking facility, Anil suggested adding that this can considerably ease traffic congestion within Khwairamband.

Number of diesel autos operating on a route may be restricted to 20 at the most.

But 50/60 autos are allowed to operate on a single route.

As such, many of the diesel autos have been facing dearth of passengers.

Giving unlimited numbers of diesel autos on loan to unemployed youth can prove to be counter-productive, he added.

M Raghu of Heirangoithong West remarked that charging Rs 10 as parking fee from people who come to Keishampat Electricity Office for buying pre-paid coupons is unreasonable.

He went on to question if the parking fees collected there go to the Government exchequer.