In order to change the landscape of advanced transportation by women in Manipur, the Imphal Ring Road project is introduced with a fleet of women-operated e-buses and e-rickshaws. The program is led by Yumnam Joykumar Singh, the Project Director and Chief Engineer of Externally Added Projects (EAP) of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Manipur in order to combat the ongoing traffic congestion that disturbs the environment of Imphal City.
The project aimed to reduce traffic jams and improve urban transportation options has been funded Rs 1,760 crores by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) where 20 e-buses and 52 e-rickshaws will be provided which will be operated by all-women drivers. The PPP model under which the vehicles will operate will highlight the involvement of women-headed households in the project-affected areas. The female drivers who will be selected will undergo rigorous training that will provide them with the abilities they need to handle the metropolitan environment. The e-vehicles will operate in the regions of Imphal East and Imphal West covering around 51.23 km of Imphal Ring Road.
This project will help in changing the transportation facilities, relieving traffic congestion, and also empower women by promoting gender equality and creating job opportunities. The project, involving Rs. 110 crore for Imphal East and Rs. 69 crore for Imphal West, aims for fair development. The construction will be divided into three phases, Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
David Elangbam, Director of Manipur's Transform Department, criticized the disregard for motor vehicle regulations in Imphal city, citing systematic failures rather than a surge in vehicle numbers. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive transport facility operated in the city.
