IMPHAL, Aug 20: In order to address the problem of traffic congestion in Imphal city, there is a need to modify the existing road geometry, stated TCP OC H Rameshwar.
Interacting with The Sangai Express on its campaign on traffic management of Imphal city, OC Rameshwar said that the primary duty of Traffic Control Police (TCP) is regulation of traffic and ensure safety of all travellers.
However, construction of roads is the responsibility of PWD while issuance of permits to vehicles is handled by Transport Department.
Imphal city covers a small area of just 1.5 Km in radius. Although traffic congestions happen within the city’s limits, it is still manageable. The possible situation after five years is hard to predict, Rameshwar said.
The situation is no longer manageable at Nagamapal-RIMS Road junction and Wahengbam Leikai junction. One major factor for this unmanageable situation is the absence of public transport system.
All the markets are concentrated at Khwairamband where utility items are sold. Most of the people who come to Khwairamband to buy different articles come in their own vehicles and they are given parking spaces along Nagamapal Road, Wahengbam Leikai Road, behind Pologround and behind Johnstone School.
The parking space behind Johnstone School is no longer available. The existing parking spaces are not enough to accommodate all the vehicles.
Diesel auto service is one service which can earn a family’s livelihood with little investment. And Imphal city is the common destination for all diesel autos which come from different districts and directions.
At the same, many National Highways, State Highways and other key roads pass through Imphal city. The geometry of these roads needs modification. There is no space of even 400/500 metres for those vehicles which should be travelling on the left side.
As such, when TCP personnel halt vehicles travelling on the right side, those travelling on the left side also halt for lack of space even though they don’t need to stop.
There are lots of things to be amended/modified and Imphal city is not a planned city. Yet, people seem to be eyeing only TCP even though many people do not have enough civic sense.
Trucks, buses, cars, autos and two-wheelers travel together on the same roads. There are no separate roads or lanes.
In the absence of a ring road around Imphal city, large convoys of paramilitary forces have been moving right through Imphal city.
The Government has been working to rectify these flaws and lapses. The Government has also been working to frame a transport policy. TCP may soon be headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP). Presently it is headed by an ASP.
In the meantime, equipments used by TCP have been improvised, Rameshwar added.
