SHILLONG: An old woman was waiting for a local cab in Khyndailad junction for over 10 minutes but could not find a taxi to take her to her destination until a group of young people wearing traffic jackets came to her rescue and got her a local cab within minutes.
The young people are volunteers of Project Shillong whose motto is ‘Be The Change; Bring The Change.’
Project Shillong has come as boon for city commuters who are forced to wait interminably at Khyndailad junction to get cab even as the city has more than 5000 local taxis plying on the road every day.
The services rendered by the youths have impressed one and all. People feel that a similar approach should be initiated at other important junctions of the city where commuters find it tough to board a local taxi.
The noble and impressive move was mooted by a group of young people in January this year after a general discussion about the ever-increasing problem of traffic congestion in the city.
One of the founding members of the group, Richa Dwivedi and three other friends decided to form the group wherein people would be able to discuss their ideas and suggestions to solve the traffic menace in the city.
The group soon approached the Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh who appreciated the idea and advised the group to assist the traffic police officially.
Impressed with the idea, many other youths joined the movement. The group first applied its traffic model in Khyndailad which has been the congestion point for traffic over the years.
The Project Shillong volunteers, besides helping passengers, also assist the traffic cops in maintaining traffic in Khyndailad.
The group which commenced its services in the city from June 1 this year is on traffic duty from 5 am to 7 pm which sometimes extends to 7.30 pm depending on the volume of traffic at the junction.
The main objective of the group is to formulate new ideas of traffic management across the city which includes traffic diversion through new routes, identifying proper taxi stands, promoting civic sense among commuters and private vehicle owners and creating traffic awareness.
The founding member of the group, Richa Dwivedi while speaking about the entire project informed that they have around 25 members from all walks of life including businessmen and those in service.
“We are on a mission to bring about a change in our beautiful city of Shillong, starting with the first task of easing the apparently insurmountable problem of traffic congestion,” she added.
According to its members, more people should come and join the stream which will help greatly in regulating traffic.
The group also has a Facebook fan page called ‘Project Shillong’ to spread out the objectives of the group in making Shillong a city with less traffic jams.
Even the Shillong Traffic Police have applauded Project Shillong which is doing a brilliant job by assisting the traffic cops in the management of traffic in the city.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh while commenting on the initiative said, “They are doing social services and we do appreciate it.
Reacting to a query, Lyngdoh said the services may be extended in other important junctions like Laitumkhrah and Barik point if the volunteers of the Project so desire.
These volunteers however only regulate traffic but have not been empowered to take action against traffic violators.
“If they see any wrong doing they will complain to the traffic cops and accordingly police will take legal action,” he added.
