TRBAK officials addressing press conference in Kohima. MORUNG photo
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 1
Kohima traders, along the main town from TCP gate to Razhu point, under the banner of Traders Road Business Association Kohima (TRBAK) today expressed its dismay over the recent development of parking issue in the state capital Kohima.
Addressing a press conference here, TRBAK convenor Peter Rutsa said that the government plan to make the stretch of TCP gate to Razhu Point as no parking area would greatly affect those who are running business along the stretch.
While we are yet to recover from COVID-19 pandemic, the government’s plan disappointed us a lot as we were hopeful that the stakeholders would give time to listen to our opinions and difficulties, he said, adding: “They are not planning to listen to us.”
The government is suppose to start enforcing no parking zone especially in those location from today (September 1), he said adding that in order to make their voice and disappointment heard, the traders arrived at Old NST at 6:00 am on Wednesday, saying, “Since this morning we are making use of that empty space to park our vehicles.”
The parking and traffic congestion is an issue for everyone not just the vehicle users, and to solve the problem, the citizens of the state are expecting government to create spaces for parking instead of removing even the little spaces that the public/traders are utilizing for parking purposes, he added.
“As and when government provides parking spaces the business community are ready to cooperate with the government,” he asserted.
The traders are not expecting the Smart City Development authority to fulfill “all our wants but we would like them to sit across the table and listen to each other,” Rutsa noted, maintaining that business community the stretch are the most affected.
The Association requested to the Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), contractors and concerned department to speed up the process of creating permanent parking places to the shoppers and public.
The government is planning to make City Centre as a parking centre. But what we heard is that it is not a permanent solution. But it is temporary solution, Rutsa said.
He also claimed that after enforcing no parking zone in Old NST area recently, the shoppers are shifting to other areas where parking is available. “To solve one problem, creating another problem is not the solution,” he said.
Stating that the traders are not expecting everything on their favour, Rutsa said, “But we want the concerned authority to listen to our problem also.”
He said that Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has conveyed to the concerned authority about the parking issue but nothing has came from the side of the government discuss the matter.
TRBAK treasurer Keneikhrielie Mepfhu-o said that there are about 400 shops from the stretch of TCP gate to Razhu Point.
The parking space in the Old NST accommodates around 50 to 60 vehicles at a time, which serves around 300 to 400 vehicles per day, he said.
Rutsa said the traders are not against the decision of the government but any decision for good should be done through proper consultation.
It may be recalled that the KSCDL on August 24 written to the KCCI regarding the parking matters.
It stated that in compliance to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) letter dated the May 27, 2021 and the “No Parking Zone” notification October 9, 2020, the KSCDL, along with the stakeholders such as the District Administration, Kohima Traffic Police, Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), and KCCI held an emergency meeting on August 20.
During the meeting, it has been made to understand that the ‘No Parking Zone’ notification of the State Government within the notified area of Kohima City shall continue to enforce, not only with the Streets for People Challenges but for the Kohima Smart City Projects.
It informed that the Kohima Smart City is in receipt of several letters from the business communities especially located in and around the Old NST area, raising concern over the usage of the road especially towards ‘No Parking Zone.’
“However, it may be assured that, shifting of on-street parking into people spaces is to enable city economy by recreating the road usage and not otherwise as presumed. The ripple effect of open spaces rather generates a conducive environment for the city’s economy,” KSCDL letter stated.
Meanwhile, the August 20 meeting, among others, decided that ‘No Parking enforcement shall be applied to the permissible stretch as notified on October 9 from New NST to Razhu Point Area.’
It further resolved to request the District Administration for dismantling of the roundabout structure located at the exit point of the alternate parking at City Centre.
On parking issue, noting that the requirement of North Gate area Local Ground has become a pertinent location for North bound Vehicles, it decided to request the DC and Chairman RTA for permission and notification of the area as parking and the entrance from TCP gate till the Local Ground gate as ‘No Parking Zone’ in order to facilitate easy flow of traffic.
It further decided to reserve about 5 to 6 slots for taxis as their parking near Ozone Cafe has been disturbed while the shifting the taxi Parking at the Old MLA entrance inside the Old MLA Parking Site.
Along with four wheelers, parking for 2 wheelers were also to be relocated inside the alternate parking sites while entry for goods vehicles into the No Parking areas shall be from 8:00 PM to 6: AM with the enforcement of No Parking and notified by the RTO.
The ‘No Parking enforcement’ is targeted to come to full enforcement by the 1st week of September 2021, it stated.
