Tura traffic rules withdrawn after protests

TURA/SHILLONG: Two days of utter chaos on Tura roads were enough for the district administration and Tura police to withdraw the new traffic rules on Friday after widespread protests by the public.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said a consultative committee of public representatives, officials and representative organisations will be constituted to come up with an inclusive traffic plan.
“The administration has reverted to status quo after feedback received from affected citizens and stakeholders,” said Bakshi after the meeting.
At the same time, the administration has decided to take cognizance of irresponsible double parking and parking on both sides of the road and auto rickshaws halting at will at any point on streets as informed by citizen groups.
From Sherwood School headmaster Tyrone D’brass raising the question of double parking on both sides of the road to Mothers’ Union member Sume B Sangma asking why vendors in Tura market were allowed to swarm footpaths when others at Ringrey, Chandmari and elsewhere were restricted from doing so, questions were aplenty and answers were few.
“It is a known fact that the Tura market road was a bottleneck. By routing all traffic through the same road as part of the new one way has only compounded the situation further,” said D’brass.
The district administration and police decided to enforce pre-existing no parking rules, take punitive action against traffic violators, enforce ban on entry of auto rickshaws without permit and impose fine on unauthorised parking.
“Proper lane driving, no overtaking or speeding and fines for traffic violations as per the Motor Vehicles Act will be enforced with support from citizens,” Bakshi said.
In addition, a citizen-centric plan for regulation of congested junctions and request to schools and colleges to organise traffic around their institutions will be prepared.
The administration has decided to constitute a consultative committee comprising public representatives, officials, citizens and organisation members.
Head of Tura Govt College Terence Marak also questioned the rationale behind a decision by the district administration to make a steep and single lane path, connecting Jerusalem road with GHADC through a former tennis court, into an entry-exit road.
Former ANVB-B chief Bernard Marak suggested widening of roads, development of parking sites and compelling major schools of the town to allow parking inside their compound to stop congestion.