The traffic chaos in Shillong city has reached unmanageable proportions. Elite schools continue to resist use of school buses to ferry their students to and from school in order to reduce the number of cars on the road. The Government has not been able to enforce its diktat on such schools even while other educational institutions have exhibited their social responsibility by using school buses for their students and staff. The question is if some schools can use school buses why not others? Governance is a world that is loosely used and even the Government which is vested with the mandate to govern does not often take this word seriously. Governance requires compliance of certain rules and regulations by members of the public. Not doing so should attract a penalty.
There are several reasons for traffic congestion in Shillong. Firstly there are a growing number of drivers with a ‘Learners’ license who are at the steering wheel without a professional driver by their side. Without any checks by traffic police these learners become a danger to other drivers and the cause of accidents as well. While there is a rule that drivers cannot speak on mobile phones, every person at the steering wheel violates this. Speaking on mobile phones while driving tends to slow down traffic and can cause accidents. That drivers don’t respect this rule only shows that we are a lawless citizenry. And since there is no fear of any penalty, drivers continue to cock a snook at the rules. Drunken driving in the evening hours is another menace. Scores of young people have turned their cars into open air bars and only return home in the wee hours but by then their driving skills have gone for a toss. At that time of the night they are on their own. They can get away with accidents.
In this city there are under-aged drivers in school uniform who also are at the wheels. This is against the law but if the parents don’t show responsibility then the police cannot do much. It is noticed that “No Parking” signs are violated with impunity. This happens because the Traffic Superintendent is hardly seen on the road. Top cops of the district have to be more visible to infuse a sense of respect for the law among citizens.