Police take citizens’ suggestion to solve traffic congestion in Shillong
SHILLONG: As there is no end to the growing traffic problems in Shillong city, the State Police Department on Tuesday convened a meeting with the Schools, Rangbah Shnongs, senior citizens and NGOs to find out a solution to the perennial problem.
During the meeting, citizens gave varied opinions and suggestions on the factors which lead to traffic congestion and how it can be sorted out.
Speaking at the meeting, DGP R Awasthi sought the cooperation and support of the public in easing the perennial traffic congestion
He also opined that the police can use cranes to pick up those vehicles which block the way by way of illegal parking if all the stakeholders agree to the idea and idea was also supported by many.
According to Awasthi, there are three “Es” which revolves around traffic jam and those are education, engineering and enforcement.
A senior citizen of the town, Dr W Kharshiing while speaking at the meeting stressed on the need to develop New Shillong Township at the earliest to de-congest the Shillong town
He also said that Government should open up rural markets in the outskirts of the city so that rural people can sell their products in the markets which would help the city from de-congestion
He also felt that the Government should not construct any more new offices in the city which would lead to congestion even as he called for meetings at the Police Station level with local headmen to discuss about traffic jams in the respective areas.
The principal of the St Edmunds College, Dr. Sylvanus Lamare suggested that the Army may be asked to allow the civilians to use the road at View point so that people coming from Jowai side towards Dawki and Sohra side don’t enter the city
He also reiterated that the school buses should be made mandatory especially for school in Laitumkhrah areas
Earlier in the meeting, many citizens suggested that the Shillong police can have volunteers who can be paid and the idea was also appreciated by the DGP.
Concerns were also raised about the SPTS buses and many local taxis which are often found to be parked in haphazard manner in the city