By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Traffic department has drawn severe criticism for conducting the inspection drive in a biased manner and then blaming tourist taxis for the traffic jam in the congested routes of the city.
“The drive against illegal parking of tourist taxis conducted by the Traffic department led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert G Lyngdoh on Monday targeted only tourist taxis. The same yardstick should also be applied to private vehicles in order to minimise the traffic congestion in the city routes,” a taxi driver said.
“No action is taken against private vehicles parked along the roadside especially in Khyndai Lad despite the presence of several parking areas,” the driver lamented.
One commuter questioned the double standards of the Traffic department. “The Traffic department should not only target tourist or local cabbies but also private vehicles as we can see that Khyndai Lad is packed with private vehicles which are parked either near the Assembly or near Pegasus Crown Hotel,” he added.
“Though parking spaces have been provided for private vehicles opposite SBI Main Branch office, MUDA, parking lot near Crowborough, yet private vehicles are being allowed by traffic police to park along the roadside everyday,” a parking lot attendant said.
Commuters have also asked the Traffic department to conduct similar drives against illegal parking by private vehicles to remove traffic congestion on the city routes.
Commenting on the allegations by commuters and tourist taxi drivers, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert G Lyngdoh responded saying, “We are not discriminating against anybody. All illegally parked vehicles, whether local or tourist or private, are being issued challan.”