SHILLONG: As we enter another year and nurture hopes and aspirations for a better future, Shillongites express their views on how to improve upon six important issues–traffic, environment, garbage management, water scarcity in winter, coin shortage and beggar menace-in the city.
Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh
Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh said there is a need for a multi-pronged approach to solve the problem of traffic congestion in city.
“We need to have a proper urban planning. Shifting of major institutions to the new township can go a long way in easing congestion in the city,” Mawthoh said.
He pointed out that as of now the main market hub is Iewduh and Police Bazar and the Government would have to develop new markets to reduce congestion in these areas.
While pointing out the futility of any road expansion project, Mawthoh said the only way out is the construction of flyovers.
“As per my knowledge, the defence authority has agreed to hand over seven number of Cantonment lands to the civil administration on grounds that the Government should provide land of equal value elsewhere. The congestion in the city would be drastically reduced if we get the defence land within the city,” the Nongthymmai legislator said.
Mawthoh also expressed his concern over the degeneration of the environment in the State, both in the urban and rural centres.
“The unregulated and unscientific mining has largely contributed to the massive deterioration of the environment in the State. We have raped the environment without thinking about the future generation,” Mawthoh said.
According to him, the only way to save the environment is sustainable development.
“We also need to think of exploiting our resources judiciously through proper management and control,” he said.
Mawthoh said that the environment in the rural areas is deteriorating rapidly due to faulty mining and quarrying practices.
“The people in the rural areas are no longer interested in improving the fertility of the soil for agricultural purposes. The soil is degrading since everyone in the rural areas is too busy in activities which are destroying the environment to garner more wealth,” he said.
Despite the ban on timber, the Nongthymmai legislator said that the depletion of forests continues unabated since there are no checks and balances.
Mawthoh bemoaned the absence of proper garbage management system despite the expansion taking place in the city.
“We have only one sanitary landfill site at Mawiong. With the growing generation of waste in the city, there is need to have an alternative,” Mawthoh said.
The Nongthymmai legislator also admitted that water scarcity is a usual phenomenon in winter. “It is really annoying that the Government is yet to come out with a solution to address this problem,” he said.
Mawthoh said that the Government has not been able to ban the use of plastic despite existing laws to check the menace.
“Personally, I am of the view that the Government needs to think of an alternative which would also be the best option to reduce the use of plastic. It is also important to educate and create awareness among the people about the negative impacts of plastics on the environment,” he said.
The Nongthymmai legislator also expressed surprise at the problem of coin shortage in the city.
“I totally disagree with the present practice where the shopkeepers and businessmen distribute sweets in place of coins. If this practice is adopted at the behest of the business community then it should be immediately stopped,” he said.
Mawthoh urged the Government to make Shillong a beggar free city. “We cannot have beggars in a place like Shillong which is known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. The image of the State is also affected,” the Nongthymmai legislator said.
Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong P Khongdup
Articulating his concerns, Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong, P Khongdup said that the problem of traffic congestion would remain unresolved unless the Government is serious about constructing flyovers in various parts of the city.
“We all know that it is impossible to expand the roads. The Government would have to explore the various other options to ease the congestion,” Khongdup said.
He said that the traffic regulation is another option to address the problem.
“The Government should take all possible steps to get back the defence land for easing the congestion,” the Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong said.
On the issue of environment, Khongdup said that the rapid depletion of the environment in the State is due to various human activities.
“The major factors leading environmental degradation are rampant unscientific mining and quarrying. The Government would have to take a strong call to stop the unscientific mining,” Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong said.
He said that the Government should make it mandatory that there should be re-afforestation of the various mining areas.
Besides implementing the existing laws, he said the Government should come up with a strong law to protect the environment.
On the issue of waste management, Khongdup said that the Government is yet to have a master plan on the issue.
“The people are still unaware whether we are following the scientific way of dumping garbage at the Marten dumping ground at Mawiong and we have on numerous occasions seen reports of people complaining about the stench emanating from the dumping ground,” the Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong said.
He said that this is perhaps the reason why people are opposing the move of the Government to have another land fill site at the new Shillong Township at Mawdiangdiang.
“The Government should think of adopting the model of other developed countries in waste management,” he said.
Khongdup also said that the problem of water scarcity during winter is a perennial one.
“This problem would aggravate if we fail to protect the various water bodies and the catchment areas. With the unique land tenure system, the Government would have to find ways to be able to take control of the catchment areas which fall under private or community land. The Government would have to act before it is too late,” Khongdup said.
On the shortage of coins, he said that the financial institutions would have to step in to ensure the regular distribution of coins.
“What happens at present is the banks are not issuing any notes of small denominations, forget about coins. I think the Government should have issued directives to the banks to put the coins in circulation,” Khongdup said.
He, however, felt that the businessmen and shopkeepers are not the ones responsible for the shortage of coins.
The Lumshyiap Rangbah Shnong also questioned the Government for failing to sustain its order of making Shillong a beggar free zone.
“The Government should re-enforce its order removing the beggars at least from the main commercial hub,” Khongdup said.
St Edmund’s College BSC 1st Year student Naheed Yasin Islam
St Edmund’s College BSC 1st Year student Naheed Yasin Islam said that she doubted if the New Year would bring any respite in traffic jams considering the rapid increase in the number of vehicles that are introduced into the city roads on a daily basis.
To add to the woes of commuters, the scope for widening the roads seem dismal, she said.
“Rerouting traffic is just a temporary solution and Shillong needs to expand as a planned city. There are many areas which are lying as waste and can be utilized. Unless we expand beyond Shillong city and shift institutes and offices elsewhere, traffic jams are bound to happen. Maybe we can also think of being a little considerate when it comes to parting with our land in the future when the need arises,” Naheed said.
On the issue of environment, she said that it is a shame that we are crushing what is left in our care.
“It seems that the only answer to rapid urbanisation is clearing away vegetation and constructing ‘concrete’ jungles in its place. The old pristine glory of Shillong is lost. The pine trees and Assam type buildings are so thoughtlessly replaced by huge blocks of concrete…to me it’s just a part of our efforts to hammer our own feet!” the 1st year student said.
She further said, “coal extraction is a very debatable topic…with revenues being generated thanks to the export of coal, a blanket ban on the export and mining of coal is really not the solution but better mining practices and rejuvenating abandoned mines would certainly help.”
“Utmost care must be taken to ensure that the mining methods are scientific and modern. This is possible if Government bans old and archaic methods like rat hole mining etc. This is also for the safety of labourers who lose their lives every year due to careless safety measures,” Naheed said.
On the issue of garbage management, the Physics student said she sincerely hopes that 2014 brings about a renewed civic sense in the minds of people.
“It’s a shame to see such a prominent tourist hub like Shillong in shambles thanks to our carefree attitude of littering the surroundings, throwing rubbish over the wall and staining pillars and post. It’s our town and we are responsible on how we present ourselves,” she said.
On the issue of water scarcity during winter, she said that conservation of water can be the only answer to tackling the issue of water scarcity.
“The winters bring a great deal of discomfort because of water scarcity. The first is load shedding and it ultimately affects the student community. Making the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme work and seeking accountability on its efficiency should be the Government’s top most new year resolution!” Naheed said.
About shortage of coins Naheed said, “I am bored of chewing gums which are given in place of coins. The fault lies with us too. When we have banks, I don’t see the need of storing coins in piggy banks at homes and removing them from circulation. When we remove coins from circulation, we can’t blame shopkeepers. Where will they manufacture coins from?” Naheed said.
On the issue of MRP, she said that they have always spoken about consumer awareness that is possible only when consumers are aware and vigilant.
“It is our fault that we smile and collect the bread from the shop without looking for the price in the packet and giving the shopkeeper whatever he demands. Not only bread, milk products and bakery items like biscuits need to have their prices checked,” the college student said.
