Editor,
Recently while going to work in the morning it took me one hour to reach Laban from Rynjah, a distance of 5 to 6 kms. This is not an exception but has become a routine affair in Shillong. When stranded in these traffic snarls it becomes almost impossible to reach our workplaces on time which in turn means loss of valuable time.
Having put some thought into it, I came up with a few remedial measures which I would like to share.
Since the population of Shillong is on the rise and the number of vehicles plying on these roads has increased disproportionately there is urgent need to construct new roads/ overbridges/ flyovers/ tunnels to ease the traffic on these already overburdened, narrow existing roads. Technical institutions should be relocated to sub-divisional headquarters or other towns. Good schools and colleges should be constructed by the Government in all sub-divisional headquarters, to start with, with affordable fee structures (free schooling up to SSLC Level). This will help in reducing the urban migration. At the same time employment will be generated locally which in turn will reduce the need for people to flock to the state capital in search of work, thereby reducing the load on the capital city.
2. While giving permission for construction of residential or other institutional infrastructure it should be made mandatory to provide adequate parking space within the premises. This will help in reducing roadside parking to a great extent and in turn ease traffic congestion ..
3. Schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions should be made to provide parking spaces within their premises, for the parents/ attendants/ others so that important thoroughfares are not clogged with rampant parking. Schools should be asked to provide school buses to ply their students to and from school to ease traffic congestion.
4. Traffic police should be more vigilant and enforce traffic rules more strictly. Cab drivers should be instructed to pick up/ drop passengers only at designated places barring which they should be penalized. The help of CCTV cameras can be of great use in enforcing these directives. Private vehicles should also be discouraged from parking at odd places. The Traffic Police should not put up NO ENTRY signs at the drop of a hat ( e.g Malki Point at 1.30 P.M. , near Pine Mount School during their exams, declaration of results, school functions) as it causes more confusion among commuters rather than ease traffic congestion. Schools, colleges, religious institutions should not be allowed to put up No Entry signs during functions/celebrations/any other reason on public thoroughfares.
5. The State Government, in consultation with the various Dorbars should allot adequate spaces for building parking lots in all localities of the city to help people, who sometimes are at their wits end as to where to park their cars.
To conclude, I request all the esteemed readers and others to come forward with their valuable inputs to help ease this menace. After all this is our own beautiful city.
Yours etc.,
Dr. G. Kar Purkayastha
Shillong – 6
On Hindu mission
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Vulgar roar of Hindu Mission” (ST July 24, 2017) wherein a plethora of allegations were leveled against the Mission, it evident from the selection of title for the letter that it is an attempt to malign the image of the Hindu Mission. To refute the allegations involving the Mission, I state that at my request the Mission authority had allowed me to hold the marriage ceremony of my daughter at is premises on 19th and 20th July, 2017 as I am financially not sound enough to hire any other banquet Hall.
The Mission authorities permitted me to use their premises with other facilities attached thereto against a token amount stating further among other terms and conditions not to use any PA system after 10:00 PM in compliance to the standing guidelines of the Hon’ble Apex Court.
As per Almanac, the time of marriage was at midnight and on completion of the ritual of seven steps, the invitees, relatives and members of the bridegroom party cheered by bursting few fire crackers which was however, stopped at the intervention of the Mission guard on duty during the time. Thereafter the yagna was performed amidst recital of Vedic chants.
Barring the grant of permission to use its premises Mission had no involvement in the celebration hence it would be improper to entangle the Mission with any incident occurring on the said days. No alcoholic drink was served in the function. However, I hold myself singularly responsible for all that happened and apologise for the same.
Yours etc.,
Kanu Paul
Shillong-2