IMPHAL, January 14: The State government initiative to disallow parking in the bazaar areas has failed completely. In a bid to curb congestion in the city area, a cabinet meeting held on October 28, 2015 had resolved to direct shop owners to relocate warehouses from the Thangal and Paona bazaar areas and also to restrict parking in the said market areas.
The cabinet decision was enforced from the beginning of January this year but there has been no visible compliance from the public nor have the police been able to enforce the cabinet decision.
“This is mainly due to lack of manpower, and the recently earthquake scenario has also added to the problem in police being strict, there are many people affected and we have to act in a public friendly manner also,” said a concerned Police officer to IFP. The Naga Nulla where the parking space is supposedly allotted is yet to be finished, hence there is a problem also in arranging parking space, he added.
It may be mentioned that traffic regulations is mainly enforced by VDF and Home Guard personnel in the market area, there is very less police manpower to administer the parking regulations.
“Most persons seems to be either connected to an MLA, minister, a high ranking official, police or army – we have problems dealing with them,” a police constable said.
It can be mentioned that due to the lack of manpower among other reasons, there is no strict enforcement of disallowing parking at the market areas till date. A similar restriction was also imposed in October 23, 2014, it was somehow maintained for some time, but lifted shortly afterwards.
I have heard enough people/govt saying, this scheme, that project, that committee, so on and so forth. I have heard all the names of plan that a developed countries have done in our state too.From education-job-computer-modern technology, this and that. A good example is putting up “Imphal International Airport” however not for real landing/take off except flight from Myanmar during Sangai festival. All seems in the news, in record book but nothing else. We do just as symbolic gesture, not for real public usage. So, no strange that a segment of Imphal street cannot be arranged for parking. There is traffic public though. Great job Manipur.