It is surprising that the
prominent NGOs who
otherwise call bandhs and agitations on other issues have remained silent on the perennial traffic snarl which the State is experiencing for the past many months.
Meghalaya is used to hearing discordant voices on every issue under the sun and to take the Government to task on pettier issues. Hence the people expect the NGOs to speak out especially on this issue since it is the common man who is badly affected. But many find the silence baffling.
The traffic jam had even cost lives as many sick people died before reaching the hospitals only because they were stuck in the traffic jam.
When contacted, the leading NGOs said they are very much concerned about this traffic snarl along the highways and the city but none of them had any answer as to why they are silent on this burning issue which affects everyone, including the NGOs.
Newly elected KSU general secretary Augester Jyrwa said the Union is concerned about this perennial traffic snarl which the State is experiencing.
While clarifying that they have only just takes over as the new leaders of the KSU Central Executive Committee (CEC) a week ago, Jyrwa said that it would be difficult on their part to come up with any kind of statement on this matter right now.
“The new CEC is meeting soon to discuss this matter. We are very much aware how the people are suffering on account of the traffic snarls which we are experiencing every now and then,” Jyrwa said.
While admitting that there is an urgent need on the part of the Government to adopt stringent measures to check this traffic problem, he said that they are also going to meet the Government to pressurize on the need to come with a solution to resolve this problem at the earliest.
According to the KSU general secretary, the major problem that led to this traffic congestion is because the State does not have a master plan to regulate traffic.
Jyrwa also feels there is need to regulate the timing of entry of trucks into the city. “The main reason which has for the traffic congestion is also because there is no regulation for entry of trucks. At present, trucks are plying through the city all throughout the day,” he said.
The KSU general secretary said that the other major factors leading to this problem is because of reckless overtaking by vehicles while also emphasizing on the need for deployment of more traffic personnel along the highways for better traffic management.
Meanwhile, he said that the KSU desires that this problem is resolved before the school re-opens, adding that they would not want to see the school children to suffer on account of the traffic jam.
Jyrwa said that the KSU is also seriously concerned since the Board and University exams are round the corner.
“We fear that if there is traffic congestion during the examinations it will badly affect the morale of the examinees. In the past, many students could not reach their examination venues on time on account of the traffic jam,” he added.
When asked why the FKJGP is keeping silent on this matter, FKJGP general secretary Joe Marwein said it is not true that the federation is not alive to this issue.
Marwein admitted that the traffic congestion has become an eyesore and urged the State Government to adopt some strong measures to address this problem. He said that the crux of the problem lies in the ever increasing number of trucks plying through the city.
“The Government should regulate the timings on entry of trucks into the city since this would largely help in easing the traffic congestion,” Marwein said.
The FKJGP general secretary said that the early completion of the Shillong Bypass would also help in addressing the traffic problem.
“We would urge the State Government to ask the company to complete the Shillong Bypass at the earliest,” he said.
Meanwhile, RBYF general secretary LK Sawkmie said that as it stands at present, there is very limited scope to solve this traffic problem on the highway and the city.
With the countless number of trucks plying through the city everyday it is has become impossible to regulate the traffic. He said the only way to resolve this knotty problem is the early completion of the Shillong Bypass.
He also feels that the second option to ease this traffic problem is to ensure no wrong overtaking by vehicles especially when there is traffic jam.
“Smaller vehicles tend to overtake if there is slight traffic jam. But this overtaking always result in a major traffic jam,” the RBYF general secretary said.
Sawkmie said the Government should deploy more traffic personnel along the highway to regulate traffic.
JSU president Elnathan Pale has claimed that from time to time, the JSU has been following up the issue with the Jaintia Hills district administration.
While maintaining that the reason for this traffic snarl is the holding of trucks along the National Highway, he said that the JSU in fact had suggested the district administration should allow the trucks to ply throughout the whole day.
“The situation in Jaintia Hills now has slightly improved with the district administration deciding to allow the trucks to ply throughout the whole day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pale admitted that traffic congestion due to the burgeoning number of vehicles plying along the highway.
JSU president said that there are several trucks plying without valid documents and added that there are quite few number of vehicles which are plying under the same registration number.
Is the Transport Department listening?