IMPHAL December 6: A day-long media awareness programme on Smart City was organized by All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) at Manipur Press Club here today.
Chief Town Planner N Gitkumar Singh; president of AMWJU W Shyamjai; editor of Echel daily Irengbam Arun and editor of ISTV Network Brojendro Ningomba attended the programme as presidium members.
The deliberation centred on the laypersons’ increasing mobility constraints and illegal inconveniences created by VIP mobility.
Irengbam Arun explained the relativity of illegal residential areas within the main market and how it adds to both parking and commuting inconveniences.
He observed that the improvement and expansion of road have merely been utilized as additional parking space rather than enhancing the traffic flow in the city.
He said that misconceptions on modernity have led to rapid construction of community halls replacing the erstwhile traditional green patches in many localities.
Brojendro Ningomba opined that Imphal city has been facing a perpetual traffic issue hampering commuters and slowing down productive hours.
During the gathering, opinions were pooled on subjective priorities on the six options under the smart solutions as well the three approach choices for area based development namely Retrofitting, Redevelopment and Greenfield.
The concerned Department had announced that seeking public opinion will be closed on December 9.
There was also discussion on issues related to impact assessment, benefits for urban poor and lobbying skills.