With pre-Christmas season now drawing near, there is an air of excitement all around with people moving about a great deal to attend programs, weddings, festivals etc. Besides, market places are beginning to swarm. However, with the onset of the festive season, the number of vehicles on the road is expected to further swell leading to constant traffic snarls in places like the State Capital Kohima and the commercial hub of Dimapur. While Kohima over the years has become a traffic nightmare, many commuters in Dimapur will likewise testify to the ever increasing traffic witnessed over the last few years. Further, with VIP commuters and their countless vehicles racing across public space, there are bound to be inconvenience caused to the general public. The present traffic scenario is therefore a fit case for the District and Police administration in Kohima and Dimapur to urgently review traffic control so that no untoward incident takes place.
To begin with, a strategy needs to be immediately adopted to ease traffic woes during the rush festive season. It is suggested that an in-depth survey is done of all available routes for vehicular movement and after careful study; restrictions such as one-way traffic and diversion etc. can be notified through the local media. The recent initiative of the SP Dimapur making certain restrictions on vehicular movement is welcomed and must be strictly implemented and if necessary, the new traffic rule being enforced can be still improved upon. Kohima for that matter presents a bigger challenge and a dilemma given its topography and other natural constraints. But in order for the State Capital to keep pace with its physical growth, urgent intervention is required to provide a long term solution. Hopefully, the plan for upgradation of the State Capital into a model complex will also take into account the problem areas of road and traffic.
In order to address the issue of traffic congestion caused by the spiraling vehicular growth and to tackle safety-related problems, the concerned authorities of these two districts, along with the Urban Planning and Development Department should come out with a project proposal on long term traffic improvement. Such a project should look into the latest traffic management and the technology available. If required, suggestions can be invited from the public or better still, the government can set up an expert committee to look into the entire gamut of issues and come out with practical solutions. Those looking after urban planning should also ensure that large infrastructure projects, whether roads or housing, are well planned and implemented for improving the transportation system in places like Dimapur and Kohima.
