Birkarnelzelzit Thiyam
I am not a city planner but the booming internet has brought the knowledge to everyone which once needed a college degree. Before sliding further, I would like to appreciate the Government for changing the parking rules in major areas of Imphal City.
Penning down a funny parking concept of Manipur. “If we make Inter-Leikai roads big, there will be people parking at the side illegally, and to avoid that people now are constructing the roads very narrow,” say the common people, quoting this as a solution. You must be understanding some of the Inter-Leikai roads-starting with Nagamapal, Uripok, Sagolband, Thangmeiband, and so on and all the relatable areas. Provided the roads are made two ways single lane each, one side will definitely be used for parking, which at times can cost lives if the transit blocks any ambulance.
Why doesn't the Government make a law on how many cars can be owned by a single nuclear family ? And what can be limit for a joint family ? Shouldn’t the Government make a rule of making each family have a garage ? Funny but why are some of the parking spaces in market areas privatised just because it’s in-front of their house or shop ? Because of the increasing population, should not the Leikai club areas be put in strategic places, because I have seen how messy it can get when they block all roads for Yaoshang sports ?
I know we are far away from being like NOIDA, but small things that will inspire new leaders should be ignited. I know I have so many questions and the only authority that I have is that of asking questions ? But taking help of my rights, I would like to draw the attention of all the related authorities who can do a bit to make changes. I would like a list of things which I wish to be happily covered by the lawmakers.
Firstly, please pass a law where all households who do or don't own cars to have garage areas, to be applied in Imphal areas first. Secondly, please make a proper route and make most of every Inter-Leikai roads ‘the one way road.’ Please increase the monetary penalty value for double parking and illegal parking or to the extent of cancelling their licence.
Thirdly, those who are heavy on real-estates and have floors to rent for family stay, their parking space needs to be heavily checked. Fourthly, no citizens should be allowed to have more than two cars or be it any relatable vehicles, commercial and small vehicles to be seen and taken differently. Fifthly, there should not be a freedom to open any grocery shop anywhere they want, as it calls customers which leads to double parking. And sixth, no individuals should be allowed to block public roads, be it for Yaosang, marriage or anything.
I have millions I would like to suggest and throw but I would pen up here. Provided if this issue is taken seriously, trust me - we are just decades away from making Imphal a planned city.
And yeah I would like this to happen in my lifetime. I know a lot of you will email me saying - when Ema Keithel doesn’t even provide a parking space why us ? So please to the Government, let’s get this working from both sides. Let the next generation take up civil engineering subject for creativity not “thika touba nungaibei.”
The writer is an International Awardee and also a major in International Business Marketing from Algonquin, Ottawa, Canada. He is also the Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer of Khoihee Industries, regd. under the directorate of industries and commerce, Government of Manipur. He can be reached at
[email protected] his motivational videos on YouTube at LWB Show.