It has been more than a month since the government banned vehicular traffic in the busy Imphal city area on an experimental basis, but it still has no ideas to ease traffic congestion. We are still facing traffic jams in the roads surrounding the Bazar area. We must appreciate Trinamool leaders of the state for raising this important issue of traffic congestion in the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Yet, nothing has been achieved and the government has still not made up its mind to the problem. The Chief Minister in his reply to the Calling Attention raised by opposition MLAs only said that the government is open to ideas. And the Chief Minister cited rise in population and unchecked growth of vehicles. For the record, we at IFP had supported the recent state decision to implement ‘pedestrian only’ regulations in the busy Imphal market, even if it was on experimental basis. And we are still supporting it. As we said, mature and sensible city managers around the world have implemented pedestrian friendly regulations in long time back. A market is meant mainly for the common people and ordinary shoppers. We need to take into account the elite and neo-rich while framing policies also, but the main emphasis should be on the welfare of the common people. It is mainly people from other towns and villages that are flocking the city. That is exactly where, the importance of promoting pedestrianism comes in. Pedestrian cities are growing in popularity in many top regions around the world. Being able to walk to a mix of shops, restaurants, newsstands, coffeehouses and open-air markets within car-free neighborhoods and work centers delivers the highest quality of life, and adds great variety and vitality to an area. Venice is considered the greatest pedestrian city in the world because it contains the largest pedestrian street network completely free of cars. The city is quite dense, yet the most relaxing and pleasant city in the world. Copenhagen is another pedestrian city. City planners have taken numerous small steps to transform the city from a car-oriented place to a people-friendly one. Here in Manipur, we could start by making the main streets of Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar a completely pedestrian zone while allowing vehicles to pass through the other streets of Bazar area. But the entire Bazar area should be completely free of parking lots or spaces.
Another important issue is the problems faced by people having homes or residential quarters in the Bazar area. The issue was raised by the Thangmeiband MLA Joykishan in the assembly. He had said, people living in the Bazar area are suffering. Yes, their business is suffering and also there is dislocation in their personal lives. Their grievances also need to be addressed. But, the state has to first decide on whether Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar should be declared as a ‘commercial zone’ or not. If it decides on the affirmative, the Bazar area would free from residential quarters.
The interest of the general people is of utmost importance and it should come first while framing policies. The Chief Minister had said that he is open to ideas on traffic regulation. Is he also ready to absorb ideas and opinions floated by the poor people who do not have vehicles of their own, and who travel by public transport? The neo-rich and intellectuals who have cars or two-wheelers would have many ideas. But, whether they will also speak in the interests of the vehicle-less poor could not be guaranteed. So, we suggest that the state should conduct an opinion poll in this regard, so that all interests are protected.