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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 3 (EMN): The newly designated parking area -- Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) – in Kohima was made functional starting this month (October 1) with an aim to ease the traffic congestion in the state capital but it has evoked mixed reaction from the drivers and commuters.
Located opposite Mhachaki along the National High-02 and about 10 minutes’ drive (without traffic jam) from Kohima main town, ISBT is now the new parking area for Dimapur-bound zonal taxis and Nagaland State Transport buses.
It was found out during a visit to the terminus on Monday that the tax and bus drivers were fine with the change and getting accustomed but that’s not the case with many passengers.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, secretary to the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Treasurer, R Victor Rutsa, said a lot of drivers are happy about the new parking area. Yet there are passengers complaining about paying more fares.
Rutsa, however, said that ‘there are many options available for the passengers, be it dropping or pick-up between Kohima town and ISBT. They can take Kohima smart city bus (INR 30 per drop/pick-up per passenger), and NST and pink buses (INR 20 per dropping/pick-pick per passenger) besides local taxi. Those who can afford a taxi can hire one from the town to ISBT which costs INR 160 (INR 40 per passenger)’.
‘A lot of them are happy with the newly designated parking spot, saying that it will ease traffic congestion within Kohima town,’ he said, adding that zonal taxis can now save more time by not going all the way to the town.
He went on to say that last few days saw a rush of passengers due to Durga Puja break, and that the ANTA action committee and traffic police are supervising the flow of traffic at ISBT.
Kale Gurung, who has been driving a zonal/regional taxi along this route for over 30 years, said the new arrangement is ‘good’ as finding passengers is now ‘hassle-free’. With only one Dimapur-bound zonal taxi stand here at ISBT, ‘we are able to get passengers comfortably’, he added.
Another driver, Shihuto Yeptho, who is based in Dimapur, said that he is fine with the new parking area.
However, a frequent commuter between Kohima and Dimapur, who did not wish to be named, said that it was ‘inconvenient’ to take another vehicle to ISBT.
‘Earlier (prior to Oct.1), we were able to easily get a taxi to Dimapur from the town itself but now, we have to take a local taxi or bus to come here,’ the person said.
‘For economically weaker persons, it is difficult to come down here. Because, the expenditure doubles if one is to hire a cab from the town till here,’ he added.
Another passenger named Among, who resides in Chümoukedima, also said the new arrangement is “not convenient” for the passengers as they have to hire or take taxis, or buses to reach the new terminus.
The fare per passenger from the ISBT to Dimapur is now INR 330 at the ANTA counter located at the terminus, which is INR 20 less than the previous rate of INR 350. However, Among claimed that he was charged INR 350 (earlier rate) while travelling from Dimapur to ISBT and felt that the fare could have been reduced.
Rajuvitso Meyase D.B Law and Order, who was detailed at the old zonal taxi parking, NST, to inspect and guide passengers about the new designated parking, told this newspaper that a lot of people including drivers coming from remote areas are still unaware of the changes in the designated parking area.
‘Since the new system is in the initial stage, it is difficult for people to cope up for now. But once it becomes a habit, it should be alright,’ he said while expressing optimism that the new system, if followed strictly, will ease traffic congestion in the town.
He further said the drivers are complying with the ‘new order’ without much complaint.
However, Meyase said that at the KMC Tata parking located below Government Polytechnic Institute (IG road) for Northern-bound vehicles, travelers are facing difficulties as there were neither local taxi points nor restaurants for a cup of tea in the area.
On action taken against defaulters, he said they are being excused since many are not aware of the new terminus but they would be penalized eventually.
The Regional Transport Authority, Kohima, has issued an order on September 22 informing that the parking area for regional taxis and buses had been shifted to the newly designated area – ISBT – and that it would come into effect on October 1.