Editor,
In his article “Oh Shillong! My Shillong! “(ST 21st Jan 2014) Ma Toki Blah painted a grim picture of Shillong because of rapid urbanisation. Like him perhaps most of us are frustrated with the lackadaisical or procrastinated approach to solving the predicament. This superb article is indeed a wake-up call to the citizen of Shillong and of the whole state and particularly to the authorities concerned. However, I beg to differ with him when he stated that the whole of Shillong has become a vast urban slum and any or all localities of Shillong will provide an immediate practical and shameful example of this. In my observation, barring a few, most of the localities in Shillong are far from being slums because the present standard of cleanliness and sanitation maintained there would still reflect the old glory of Shillong, though due to the progressive needs of a modern society the standard is not at its best as compared to the past . The positive sign is that there is an increased participation of the citizens within these localities to uphold the standards and to further improve them in spite of prevailing constraints. This definitely can be attributed to the initiatives of the Durbar Shnong of respective localities which further prompt active cooperation from the concerned authorities .
Indeed , there is an urgent need to reclaim Iewduh , Motphran and some commercial areas of the city which really present an overall negative impression of Shillong. These areas will continue to be pressurised because besides the urban populace of Shillong,, many people from rural areas will continue to flock to these areas because of the availability of better goods and opportunities which are not available within their vicinity. The traffic congestion also gives the impression that Shillong is chaotic and seemingly filthy and as suggested in the article flyovers will surely improve traffic flow and reduce congestions . But these cannot be built everywhere. On the other hand, a substantial hike in parking fees in frequently visited public places may compel private car owners to use public transports instead and this will definitely reduce traffic congestion. This is however a thought that requires to be translated by bold decisions . Mr Toki Blah also feels that elected representatives can effectively facilitate modern urban management. To my limited thinking, I am not sure if this is the only viable proposition. First of all, we need to ensure that we get quality people elected- people who are committed to deliver and who will not create a white elephant later while conveniently distancing themselves from the desired objectives. Much to our dismay and frustration, quite a number of our elected representatives of public organisations have an ambiguous or contradictory approach to the purpose for which they are elected for. In any case, the Municipal Corporations of other states have not really delivered as expected in spite of having elected representatives in office. I personally think that the existing Municipal Board as it is or an alternative authority if ever conceived may engage the Durbar Shnong as the main conduit through which positive things can flow at the local level. These Durbars can also monitor the functioning of the available civic amenities within their respective jurisdictions and to facilitate needed remedial measures. With an open mind , many of these Durbars can be taken on board and their members can be motivated with effective capacity building exercises. However, the heavily pressured major commercial areas may specifically require a different approach with a distinctly formulated system of management.
On the whole, other innovative ideas will move in if we perhaps cease to emphasise too much for an elected body for urban management. Lastly, Shillong may not be the Scotland of the East any more to us locals but to occasional visitors it still is though there may be a rider attached to it now. Nevertheless, it is alarm bells ringing. We cannot afford to be complacent. As Mr Toki Blah stated, something has to be done asap if Shillong is to sustain its glory for perpetuity .
Yours etc.,
K.L.Tariang
