Gross negligence compound woes of Lamphel market
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2011: In addition to non-construction of sheds and absence of basic infrastructure at the newly established market place at Lamphel impeding smooth trading, deplorable conditions of most approach roads has raised a serious question on whether women vendors would prefer other more convenient spots to earn their daily bread.

During a random survey conducted yesterday on conditions of approach roads to the market place The Sangai Express literally stumbled upon huge potholes at numerous points with the condition most distressing along the Nagamapal-RIMS Road section.

While the approach road that passes through residential areas of Thangmeiband is narrow and in urgent need for repairing and the Watham Leirak route totally cut off due to incomplete sewerage project works, haphazard abandoning of sewerage project at the Lamphel Traffic crossing near RIMS Hospital is posing a serious challenge to survival of the small-time women traders.

Evicted from Khwairamband Keithel areas some time back as a part of the Government's plan to ease traffic congestion in the market place, the women vendors had reluctantly moved to the new site, where they were soon exposed to adverse conditions, particularly absence of overhead cover.

The state of a road leading towards the market at Lamphel

Due to prohibition of parking vehicles at most of the Khwairamband Keithel areas and other compulsion, customers do opt for purchase of vegetables at the Lamphel market site thereby increasing the traffic volume at this previously spacious zone.

In the past few weeks, random parking of customers' vehicles have added to the congestion even though there is no sign of road repairing programme in Lamphel area.

With the Khoyathong-Lamphel road severely damaged owing to heavy movement of vehicles, and Watham Leirak and RIMS Road not suitable for commuting, reaching the Lamphel market site from Uripok side is undoubtedly the most preferred route at present.

Even though sewerage project work along the RIMS Road seem to have been completed road repairing activity is yet to be undertaken thereby resulting in the commuters opting for the by-lanes to reach their destination.

Condition in one most important road is in such a bad state that patients have to be brought to RIMS Hospital through other routes.

Moreover, with many of the women vendors in advance stage of life, negotiating the bumpy ride to reach Lamphel market place before toiling there in the open space is a challenge they are confronted with on a daily basis.

As autorickshaws or rickshaws are the only means of transportation there are numerous complaints from many of the sole bread winners that vegetable loads fall on the way without their knowledge.

Compared to dust and huge craters they have had to endure during sunny days, rainfall means passing through water-filled potholes and slush.

a woman vendor namely L Sanahanbi told this reporter that number of customers have been increasing with each passing day but opined that many among them pick up vegetables while coming to grasp an idea of the new market place.

She also speculated that restriction in parking of vehicles at Khwairamband Keithel might be another factor to the customers to come to the Lamphel market, where hectic activities could be witnessed in the early hours as vegetable whole-sellers have begun to prefer the new location.

Sanahanbi strongly suggested that road development work at Lamphel area be taken up by the State Government on priority basis as the new spot has tremendous prospect for becoming a commercial hub.

Apart from the women vendors, grocery shops and hotels in and around the new market place are reaping the benefit due to increase in presence of customers.