In a bid to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety in Imphal, the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) is expected to become operational soon, Additional Chief Secretary for Textiles, Commerce & Industries and Transport, Anurag Bajpai, announced on January 10.
Bajpai made the announcement while addressing a media sensitisation programme held as part of National Road Safety Month 2026. The event, themed “Strengthening Media Partnership for Safer Roads”, was organised by the Transport Department, Government of Manipur, at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) conference hall.
Expressing concern over Manipur’s high road accident rate—higher than the national average—Bajpai said the government has initiated several measures to curb accidents, including stricter enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.
He highlighted traffic congestion as a key contributor to road mishaps, attributing it to unchecked growth in vehicles and road encroachments. “Vehicular congestion significantly increases accident risks. This can be addressed through better road infrastructure, removal of encroachments and, most importantly, by reducing the number of private vehicles on the road,” he said.
As part of this approach, Bajpai said the government is focusing on strengthening public transport and re-functionalising ISBT Imphal, which is expected to decongest the city and streamline traffic movement across Greater Imphal. He also noted that stricter norms for issuing driving licences would help ensure better-trained and more responsible drivers, thereby reducing accidents.
Stressing the importance of media involvement, Bajpai said media organisations play a crucial role in influencing public behaviour and attitudes towards road safety. He emphasised that most road accidents are preventable and described every road fatality as a loss not only to families but to society and the state.
He urged media professionals to highlight gaps in road safety infrastructure—such as the lack of warning signs near schools and accident-prone areas—across both valley and hill districts. Bajpai also revealed that the department is considering instituting awards for journalists who report extensively on road safety issues.
Also speaking at the programme, Director of Transport Khumanthem Diana described road safety as a major public health concern rather than merely an administrative issue. She said road accidents often result in loss of life, disability, emotional trauma and financial hardship for families and communities.
Diana pointed out that many accidents are caused by behavioural factors, including overspeeding, drunken driving, failure to wear helmets or seatbelts, mobile phone use while driving and disregard for traffic rules.
Highlighting enforcement efforts, she said the Transport Department has strengthened monitoring through technology-driven measures such as e-challan systems. Between January and December 2024, the department issued 3,059 challans amounting to ₹71.33 lakh. This figure rose sharply to 15,073 challans worth ₹4.47 crore during January–December 2025, reflecting intensified enforcement and stricter scrutiny of traffic violations.
