Morung Express News
October 13
DIMAPUR: If things turn out as being planned by the Dimapur municipal Council (DMC) important transit stations in Dimapur like the NST Taxi Stand, the Inter State Truck Stand (ISTS) and the Auto rickshaw stand would probably be shifted to new locations so as to facilitate easy vehicular and pedestrian movement as well as “give the general public some space to breathe.” This was disclosed by the Chairman of the DMC Y Vikheho Awomi who spoke to The Morung Express on the sidelines of shifting activities of all illegal footpath vendors from the New Market, Flyover (Near Hong Kong Market) and Church Road to its new location at Super Market, also known as the Nagaland Shopping Arcade, early in the morning today. All the DMC councilors were present at the site overseeing the shifting. The Wednesday market would now be daily.
It is also learnt that the Council had requested a list from concerned authorities identifying the congested as well as illegally occupied-business “establishments” in major public areas so that necessary action would be taken in this regard. The Truck drivers union, the Auto drivers Union and other public services would be consulted in this matter, according to latest information.
Acting on the complaints from the public, the DMC had directed that all illegal footpath vendors, hawkers and other “entrepreneurs” occupying the New Market area to be shifted to the Super Market for the reason that they caused traffic jams, congestion of passageways as well as traffic encumbrances to the public particularly the shopping populace. “The DMC has taken the step purely in the interest of the public” said the Chairman Awomi citing numerous instances of inconveniences faced by the public adding that shoppers can now shop pleasantly. “Nagaland in general and Dimapur in particularly, has no proper city planning which is a big problem with increasing population which would always keep on increasing and problems get bigger” said the chief Councilor.
Councilors said that the DMC was not against any particular business section but only those business people illegally occupying public spaces and encumbering free movement. It was of the opinion that in spite of numerous financial constrains, the it had put in tremendous efforts by investing whatever was necessary towards “giving a space to breathe” the said market besides making all necessary arrangements so that the underprivileged may be provided with due privileges. “This move should not be considered as denial to the under privileged in any way. It is rather an earnest effort to ensure that all concerned avail due and equal privileges” the DMC Chairman said.
Meanwhile the DMC in a press release informed the general public and shoppers not to park their vehicles at Bata Line or inside Hong Kong Market as heavy traffic congestion is created within the town. Since all unauthorized footpath vendors occupying the place below the Flyover have been shifted out to create empty space for parking of vehicles, the area shall be used as a Parking Lot and shoppers visiting these areas shall have to park their vehicles accordingly. Similarly, vehicle owners were also requested to park their vehicles in a systematic manner at Church Road and New Market. With the onset of the festive season, shopping promises to be a pleasurable experience without congestion or without having to battle it out in the crowd, it added.
Appealing for strict civic sense and discipline while parking vehicles in the town the DMC stated that prevention of traffic congestion ultimately rest with the public and a disciplined attitude should be adopted. It also thanked the Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, GBs Union and all NGOs and civil societies who extended their support to the drive for the common interest of the people.
