IMPHAL, Feb 13: Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), a body encouraging people to take up or get back to cycling offer congratulation the transport department and traffic police department for taking up a the bold and favourable step of banning entry of all types of motor vehicles from February 13 onwards in Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar areas.
It may be mentioned that MCC submitted a memorandum to the state chief minister O Ibobi last year requesting cycle lanes and parking space in the city. Manipur Cycle Club which also has launched the Kangla ‘Cycle on Rent’ informed that it will be more than happy to work along with the transport and traffic department to make Imphal a better place to live.
It said, the promulgation of the new regulation is a very progressive step and will help ensure not only a people-friendly central market space but also a health and environment wise beneficial situation in the city of Imphal. We appreciated the new traffic regulations in particular which will promote cycling and pedestrians in the central business district. In addition, MCC suggested allowing access to cycle rickshaws to facilitate mobility for weak and old citizens to the market areas.
Currently, visiting the two market areas of Paona and Thangal bazaar have become a nightmare where cars, bikes and autos under their chaotic driving and honking rules the road, the MCC stated. The safe distance and space meant for pedestrians and cyclist have been encroached by the parking of vehicles inside the marketing area. Cyclists are forced to drive along with cars, bikes and autos which is highly dangerous. This is true not only for these markets but also for other streets. For the two markets both entry of these vehicles as well as parking (even during entry period) must be banned. A consequent step can be demarcation of cycle lanes and installation of cycle parking inside the two markets.