Evergrowing traffic menace, perennial scarcity of water, improper disposal of garbage and now the problem of overflowing drains and rivers. Once famous as Scotland of the East, the image of Shillong as a clean, pollution-free city is taking a stick of late. A sharp rise in population coupled with lack in growth of infrastructure is a major reason for the issues at hand.
Traffic congestion
The continual traffic congestion has troubled the city residents for most part of 2011. Though, with lesser number trucks plying through the heart of the city, situation has improved of late, a lot needs to be done to streamline things in the long run.
The ongoing road blockade called by several NGOs, opposing the inclusion of ‘dubious voters’ in the electorate, has again raised concerns over the traffic management in the city. Jammed roads are a common sight during the evening hours as people try to reach home before the road blockade begins. The rush could also be felt in various localities of the city, especially the one with comparatively narrower roads. The snail paced traffic has also contributed to the loss in working hours for many establishments, both public and private, as workers preferred to leave their desks much earlier than the scheduled time on Monday so as to meet the road blockade deadline.
Besides this, congested traffic during school and office hours still remains a major problem. There seems to be no quick fix solution to these problems and a long term strategy has to be formulated to tackle the same.
Water scarcity
It has been a perennial problem in Shillong and nothing much has been done so far to address this issue. People have been complaining that the water that is being supplied by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department is unfit for drinking and this is evident from the colour of the water and its taste.
The question of scarcity of safe drinking water should not arise in the state with 30 river bodies. However, according to a recent CAG report 28 out of the 30 water bodies contain water unfit for drinking. This clearly shows the lack of concern on part of the authorities to solve or restrict the menace of water scarcity.
Improper drainage and garbage management
Improper garbage disposal, especially in and around the market places in the city, has left a question mark on Shillong’s reputation as a clean and green city. Both the government and the residents are at fault when it comes to dealing with the problems related to improper drainage and garbage management.
The localities very often litter the garbage recklessly throwing them in the rivers and drains which results in water clogging and flood. On the other hand lack of dustbins and untimely collection of garbage on several occasions has also added to the problem. With elections round the corner, it is time the legislators concentrate on laying a proper action plan to relieve the pine city of its distresses and restore its old glory. Is anybody listening?