Dysfunctional or improper installation of traffic signals in Imphal city has been creating a huge confusion among traffic police personnel and commuters.
In an effort to upgrade and control the traffic congestion in Imphal city, 15 traffic lights were recently installed at different important areas, including in front of the Chief Minister’s Bungalow, Raj Bhavan main gate and others, but most of them are not functioning while some of them are not installed properly.
The Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) was recently launched at 15 traffic signal points in Imphal city on December 24, 2021.
The new traffic lights were installed at Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak junction; Sagolband Aryan Theatre Junction; LIC/PWD junction; Pishumthong Mayai Lambi junction; Keishamthong Mayai Lambi junction; Sangaiprou Regular Road junction; Kongba Soudongpung junction; Sangakpham junction; Keishampat junction; Singjamei Chingamakhong junction; GPO Babupara junction; Raj Bhawan junction; Kwakeithel junction; Kangla Western Gate junction and North AOC junction.
During a ground survey by the Imphal Free Press, it was found that some of the traffic signals were not installed properly and hence, several commuters says they prefer the manual system of managing the of road traffic by the police personnel instead of following the traffic lights, which do not provide proper signals.
As for the traffic lights installed at GPO Babupara junction (near CM bungalow crossing), commuters coming from western side and eastern side along Sanjenthong road in Imphal are not able to see the traffic lights due to the blockage by old defunct traffic signals posts. Similarly, for the commuters coming from western direction towards the North AOC junction, they are also facing the same issue due to the blockage of traffic signals by old defunct traffic posts.
The traffic signals installed at Pishumthong Mayai Lambi junction and Keishamthong Mayai Lambi were not functioning too.
During an interaction with the Imphal Free Press at GPO Babupara junction, one of the commuters, who was waiting for the green traffic signal, said, “It is unnecessary to install traffic lights if the commuters are unable to see it. Maybe the traffic signals were installed just to get tender bills without considering whether the traffic signals could be seen or not by the commuters”.
“If the traffic lights are not installed properly, then how will the public follow the light signals?” asked the commuter.
The Manipur Traffic Control Wing has been publishing awareness videos on how to follow traffic signals and has been conducting drives against traffic violators at different areas of Imphal.
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Despite frequent drive against traffic violators, due to the increasing number of traffic violations by commuters, especially at traffic points, traffic congestions are taking place at important traffic points of the city.
One of the traffic police personnel, who did not want to disclose his identity, told the IFP that if the public follow the traffic lights strictly then there is no need for manual traffic signals at traffic points.
“We have taken various actions against traffic violators but no change has been seen among the commuters. A collective effort is needed from the traffic police and commuters, until then a good traffic system will not be seen in Imphal,” he added.
With the ever-increasing number of vehicles in the state, one wonders if the present traffic system will be able to control the traffic scenario given its dysfunctional condition.
