Editor,
Traffic snarls have not awakened the otherwise progressive thinking but regressive in implementation, Government of Meghalaya. A little they have by agreeing to NHAI’s original plan for Umsning. More roads mean more access and hence more development. Driving governance home to the people requires constant awareness campaigns. But a Medical College in the city that is crippled, for want of breathing space! Is this a joke or is it that the powers that be are blind and ignorant to the cries of the city? I suspect that this just another route for acquiring prime land for vested interests in the garb of something beneficial for the masses.
Firstly, the location itself has only a single entry and exit route. It is bounded by human habitation that is ready to explode any day. The area is puny by any given standards for a forward looking institution, especially that of a medical college. May I request the silent grumbling majority, to wake up and apprise the government of the day to relocate this much needed project to New Shillong or surrounding areas so as to decongest this ailing city of ours.
I thank the silent majority.
Yours etc.,
Atiar F Dykes
At the mercy of trucks!
Editor,
The last few days have been a living hell for the people of Shillong. The reason is that our lives are controlled by truck drivers, coal mine owners and cement companies. They have taken control of our highways and we are all living at their mercy. It also looks like they are in control of the state of affairs in our government. If not, then why can’t the Government regulate or control the numbers of coal and cement carrying trucks that ply on the highway? The Government knows that the present highway cannot handle the large volume of heavy vehicles that ply day in and day out. An effective government would have taken immediate measures to see that the common people do not suffer. The statement of the home minister that the traffic jam was caused because of cold weather is ridiculous. Is this the only cold winter that the trucks have faced? Shillong has experienced lower temperatures in the past but still it did not affect any diesel vehicle. The reason for the traffic snarls is because of the increase in numbers of trucks that ply on the highway much beyond the capacity. A few weeks ago the Chief Secretary had listed the measures that Government would take to reduce traffic congestion but these measures will take time and may not even be implemented knowing who is running the government. Till the time that the Bye-Pass and the 4 lane highway is complete we need the Government to take immediate action and the only way to do this is to regulate the plying of coal, lime and cement trucks by limiting their numbers per day. We want to see if the Government has the guts to do that. Why should common people suffer for the sake of few rich merchants?
Yours etc.,
D.Lyngdoh
Shillong -6
Call for action from police
Editor,
Cases of general public misusing the law of the land seem to be rampant. At a traffic jam I came across a vehicle bearing registration ML 05 E 9927 not resembling any VIP status (there was no red light on it) switching on the siren and driving past as if it was carrying the Head of State. It is high time we mere mortal citizens start procuring sirens and using them. I hope the police take necessary action against the offender
Yours etc.,
Hamerson Lyngdoh