By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the onset of winter, the coal export season has started and the traffic scenario has become very grim with hundreds of trucks plying coal outside the State through the city roads.
Long queues of coal-laden trucks are seen at night stranded in different parts of the city and the situation during the day remains same as well. The supply of coal goes up during winter season and it adds to the city’s traffic congestion as many trucks carry coal from coal rich areas of the State to other parts of the country.
Talking to The Shillong Times, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Herbert Lyngdoh, said the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has already briefed its traffic personnel about the traffic problems which will occur during the winter season.
“We are aware about the upcoming problem and we are alert. We will ensure that there are no traffic snarls during the peak season,” he said.
According to Lyngdoh, the STP is increasing its vigilance and cranes are also on stand-by to ensure that any breakdown of coal-laden trucks is cleared off immediately in order to avoid disruption in the flow of traffic.
Normally, the trucks are prohibited from entering the city from 7 am till 7 pm. However, trucks are allowed to ply through the city at certain intervals, especially between 11 am and 1 pm, to ease the highway congestion.
Reacting to a query, Lyngdoh said that the main cause for traffic jam is the overtaking by vehicles. “We are imposing fines on people who overtake,” he said.
The STP is also making use of the Meghalaya Integrated Information (MII) system in order to make people aware about traffic rules through the LEDs displays and other means.
