Finally it is the Govt. which is responsible for the traffic mess
- Imphal Times Editorial :: December 22 2017 -

If not all, majority of the people of the state wanted a change.

A change Manipur- free from corruption and violence of any form; where citizen of the state have high respect for the rules of law is what most people expect.

Of now Imphalites witness some changes except the terrific traffic regulation as well as rumours about middle men or fillers asking money for appointment to government post as well as their transfer and posting.

Still then, fed up of the system experience in the last 15 years of congress rules many people are left with no choice but to force the mind waiting for changes that might occurred in the coming days.

The night life, bridging of relationships between various communities in the state, etc., are some of the hopes given to the general public.

But then, high hopes sometimes are shattered on learning certain irregularities practice at higher government level.

May be it’s just a rumours but there is reason that some of such rumours have reason to be believe with the way its happening/seen today by common man.

Many efforts had been seen by the present government to change the state into the right direction.

But one thing which the government can never bring a change is the traffic regulation of vehicular movement in the heart of Imphal city.

Is the present government dead serious about the present problem is a question being asked from sections of people.

6 months back when the present govt. was nearly two months old, a Superintendent of Police for Traffic Control Wing had been appointed.

Since then all blames on the irregularities are pouring on this group of traffic regulation enforcers which does not have a full fledged police station.

Appointing an SP for control of Traffic regulation is more like a show, as almost everyone knows that a concrete policy programme is needed for smooth flow of vehicular movement.

When we talk about proper traffic regulation the Traffic Control Wing is not the sole responsibility – other department particularly the State Transport department,

The State PWD, The IMC etc. are also responsible as it is co-ordinations among this department that the traffic regulation enforcers can streamline the flow of vehicular movement in a proper way.

As mention in this column about a month back, people of the state witnessed Chief Minister N. Biren Singh post at which he update the street of Yangon, the capital city of neighbouring country Myanmar.

The post show heavy traffic following rules of law of traffic regulation and the discipline of the citizens driving vehicles.

“Meegi lam Yangon, Myanmar traffic lambi magi magi line dagi hennade gari hengatnaba thoujannabagi HORN makhol tade” ( In Yongon Myanmar each of them follow rules by driving on their own line, no horn heard for overtaking), this is what Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote in his post.

The post showed that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wanted the same to be followed in the state of Manipur.

But the question is that have our Chief Minister taken up anything to streamline the traffic regulation since he assumed power?

There has not been a single meeting of the Traffic Regulation and Parking Committee Meeting since his government comes to power.

Well in the first month when he becomes the Chief Minister his government had instructed a probe over the installation of electronic traffic signal light as well the irregularities in the installation of CCTV.

People now wanted know what had happened to the probe? A mere suspension of and an SE and an EE is not satisfactory as the report has not been made public.

As for those responsible for the damage in installed of CCTV enquiry seems to be still going on even though he had promised to complete the enquiry within 3 months.

Its now 8 months his government comes to power.

Some of the critics sometimes said that drivers of vehicles are responsible for the traffic mess.

But the reality is that it is the traffic regulation enforcers that are responsible for the traffic mess in the city.

An example can be cited from those people who had drive at city like Delhi or any other metropolitan city outside the country.

These drivers follows the traffic rules in the city like Delhi or outside the country, but then when they return here in Imphal they don’t bother to follow the regulation as no one is enforcing the rules.

To be frank the traffic control police assign on duty are serving for the convenient of the VVIP , VIPs and son and daughters of VIPs.

Discipline of the state is also highlighted by the way that the traffic regulations are followed by the people and definitely it is the traffic regulation enforcers that people should be force to follow the rules.

For that more legislation to empower the traffic control police is needed.

If Mr. Chief Minister is serious for a discipline traffic movement in Imphal.

He should definitely spare extra time to this Traffic control wing by converting into a full-fledged Police Station besides convening regular meeting of Traffic Regulation and Parking Committee (TRPC) for at least once a month.