By Our Reporter
Shillong: A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court (Shillong Bench) on Tuesday ordered the Meghalaya Government to file an affidavit as to what steps have been or are being taken for removing/controlling the ‘traffic chaos’ along the National Highway particularly between Shillong and Umiam and also within the city limits.
While admitting the fact that it is not the business of the Court to run the Government, the court, however, stated, “We deem it appropriate to take up this proceeding on our own as for the last two to three months space has always been rendered in the newspapers on the traffic problem.
“We have noticed that the acute traffic chaos along NH 44 and within Shillong city has become a daily phenomenon. The Registrar in his note has brought to our notice the recent events which prompted us to take up this case on suo moto basis,” the judges observed.
It was learnt that Justice T Vaiphei and Justice Kotiswar Singh ordered Chief Secretary WMS Pariat to file the affidavit within seven days beginning Tuesday.
Moreover, the Court appointed advocate A Paul as the amicus curie (friend or adviser of the court) vis-a-vis the case. It also announced that the next hearing would be held on December 7. Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Jopthiaw Lyngdoh has informed that law enforcers would come down heavily on trucks deemed unfit for plying from Thursday onwards.
In addition, the Government has also decided to review the entry timings of goods-laden trucks carrying non-essential commodities into the city.