In a move to ease the increasing vehicular congestion in Aizawl the Mizoram Cabinet has passed a resolution on refusing registration of any new vehicles in Aizawl without having a garage.
The Cabinet decision in Mizoram to refuse registration of vehicles without owning a garage reflects the short-sightedness of its approach in dealing with problems that asks for more than a mere directive to restrain people from buying more vehicles. In its effort to find solutions to what has become a chronic problem of road congestion in Aizawl city the authorities has tried to take the easiest route by passing the buck on to the citizens.
It is a known fact that while the number of vehicles has tremendously increased over the years the road spaces in the city has remained more or less the same than they used to be more a decade ago.
The question to ask ourselves is whether such a measure as has been undertaken by the government will actually meet its desired results and if so, for how long and to what extent will this help in maintaining a smooth traffic flow in the city?
Apparently the stated logic behind this particular decision was based on the fact that most vehicle owners in Aizawl don’t have a garage and hence park their vehicles on the road sides creating problems for normal vehicular movements in an increasing vehicle-populated city.
First, how will all the existing vehicles in the city find enough space for a new garage for each car when the very reason they don’t possess a garage is because of the lack of space in the way the houses are constructed on hilly terrains and slopes. I am not talking about the modern building constructions of the rich here. I am talking about the common Aizawlites and their lives.
So, from where will come the spaces for a new garages that have been made compulsory by the authorities? One easy way out would be for these vehicle owners to go and park their vehicles on the wide available spaces in the city’s outskirts. But then, who would do that? And, why would they do that for Christ’s sake?
On the other hand, this rule does not affect the rich and the influential in any way. One, they already own a garage in their modern building constructions where they can safely store their fancy cars. Two, with their money power can construct as many garages as they want within a fortnight.
So, this particular directive from the authorities seems to be directed to common Aizawlites who live a modest living on hard work and honest professions. If they have saved a little all these years just to invest on a simple and cheap vehicle for the family then this rule affect them for they no longer will be allowed to purchase a car. And, the rich and the affluent can go on and buy as many cars as they can just because they can afford the money and the mandatory garage space for their cars. And, that is how we find a family of four members alone owning more than a dozen cars!
I find this directive unfair on many other grounds.
I do not know how far the authorities can go in restricting the right to freedom of the citizens and this includes the freedom to own a car with your hard earned savings. Is not it the duty of the government which we elect to ensure facilities and infrastructures wherein the citizens can enjoy their freedom to their maximum benefit?
Has the government of Mizoram forgotten this simple but basic responsibility to provide roads wide enough for smooth vehicular movements where anyone with the money to buy a vehicle can do so without being prejudiced on the basis of the size of his wallet?
Has the government considered the construction of dedicated parking sites where people can park their vehicles with a price?
Such an exercise might look gigantic and expensive but it will pay dividends in the long run. And, the government must find a feasible solution to this problem of vehicle congestion in Aizawl but this recent Cabinet directive is not one in the right direction.
In short, such a directive is as good as a diktat from the authorities saying, "Only the rich will be allowed to own a car". Such a directive will only benefit the rich and the influential who can henceforth drive their fancy cars in much spacious Aizawl roads.
And, I find it utterly unfair.
