Editor,
I would like to highlight the sad state of affairs prevailing in Shillong with regard to traffic management. That Shillong is the worst place in the north-east for motorists is a well established fact. But barring the nightmarish situation on the GS Road, most traffic snarls in the city are caused by ill-trained and under motivated traffic policemen. There are three to four policemen manning each junction who cause havoc with their uncoordinated hand signals and ad hoc methods. Even though traffic lights are in existence at every major junction in the city (installed at a huge cost to the State exchequer), these are not being utilised. These traffic signals are now falling apart due to lack of maintenance and apathy of the concerned authorities. So far, the traffic dept has kept silent on the issue and are content to run things in the present chaotic manner. They have neither forwarded a logical explanation for switching off the traffic signals nor taken steps to fix the problem even after all this time. Their refusal to take advantage of modern methods and technology is baffling, to say the least. They prefer to deploy more personnel (despite a self proclaimed manpower crunch) rather than use the traffic signal lights. Can the traffic department give us an explanation for wasting public funds in this manner ? Strong steps need to be taken by the Government, NGOs and general public to ensure Shillong is not pushed back to the dark ages by the likes of our traffic department. When will the Transport Minister wake up to address this problem?
Yours etc.,
James Pariat
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