Editor,
Recently, there was a big scare when there was a major land slide near Umiam view point, and there was road block for a considerable period of time. This particular location is prone to landslides, which has been occurring regularly at this same place for the last 40 years and more. Also, the only direct road to Shillong passes through the Umiam dam and the bridge thereon. One cannot help but wonder at the frightening prospect of what would happen if there is a major mishap and this route is blocked for an extended period of time.
Shillong is practically served by only one major direct route from Guwahati, and there is a desperate and urgent need to ensure that an alternate route is available. This will also ensure that the major traffic jams at Mawiong are avoided.
My proposal is that a new road be developed circumbulating the Umiam Lake. The route of this road may be Umsaw – Umbir – Mawlyndep – Nongkyndong – Nongpathaw – Mawlai Nongkwar (or even Lower Mawprem). Currently, there is already an existing kutcha road, which only needs to be further developed. This will ensure that we have a substitute entry into Shillong, which will decongest the entry into the city in normal times and serve as an alternate route in times of any calamity. Moreover, if this road is extended further, it can even serve as a bye-pass to all vehicles which proceed to Cherrapunjee and beyond.
Also, in future this will enable the city of Shillong to expand across the Umshyrpi river to the western side, which is currently totally underdeveloped.
The only other route to Shillong is the Bhoilyngbong – Diengpasoh – Mawpdang -Tynring – Mawkasiang – Mawdiangdiang route, but it is longer and also unsuitable for heavy vehicles, and hence there in an urgent need for a new route.
Yours etc.,
Sarad Bawri,
Via email
Shillong’s incorrigible traffic jams
Editor,
None can call to question that traffic snarl-ups in our city have invariably become a sickening affair leading to indescribable mental and physical tribulations to the public, especially the ailing and those who are to reach their respective destinations at a specific time. The powers that be are literally at their wit’s end on how to deal with this insurmountable challenge, thus wrangling themselves in a fast losing battle.
Of late, it has been reported that our government is unable to acquire land for expanding a four lane road system from Umiam to the city because of the unwillingness of the land owners to part with their respective land-strips for that road widening project. It therefore seems self-evident that the MDA Govt is helpless in executing the noble plan of relieving public anguish caused by irredeemable motorway hold-ups vis-à-vis land acquisition for public convenience. If I am not mistaken it was way back in 2008 that the Apex court had unambiguously adjudicated that for public purposes exclusively the Govt has the right to acquire land for public utilities like the construction of the said road from Umiam to Shillong. As a follow-up of the SC judgment, I may, therefore not be wide of the mark to say that the same yard stick can be applied in respect of similar land acquisition in our State in general and in Shillong city in particular, where the number of four and two wheelers has increased phenomenally while the roads are getting narrower, owing to surreptitious encroachment. Hence the Govt can capitalize integrated development of the State with that of public convenience.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
Imran Khan’s peace mission
Editor,
It is highly paradoxical that the Pakistan Prime Minister should himself volunteer to defuse Iran-Saudi rising tensions in the Gulf. Mr. Khan landed in Tehran and met with President Hassan Rouhani at the presidential palace. He was also scheduled to hold talks with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mr. Khan said, “The reason for this trip is that we do not want a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.” He also added, “Whatever it takes we must never allow this conflict to take place, because we know there is a vested interest that wants this to take place.” He also warned that any conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia would cause poverty in the world.
What is interesting though not intriguing is the fact that Imran’s role in escalating tension between India and Pakistan in recent times is obviously notorious and such a person stepping into the shoes of a facilitator is only to be viewed suspiciously. But the move behind Imran’s peace initiative may have some other ulterior motives like isolating India in the international level. Iran is a nuclear powered country like Pakistan and if they both are willing to forge an alliance and cooperate further in the nuclear areas that would be a new development and a huge threat to India as well.
It may be reminded that in the recent past, Pakistan was humiliated at different international meetings because of its own folly. Now his ploy to resuscitate his country’s image a wee bit through this kind of exercise has become a necessity for Pakistan. The unfortunate thing is that he does not understand the value of India’s friendship and if he is not able to understand India, how can he succeed in understanding other countries?
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email
Hawkers imperiling pedestrians
Editor,
I wish to bring to your kind notice the problem of vendors occupying pavements and the subsequent traffic congestion caused by street vendors in the entire city. The problem is so serious that every day almost all the roads become clogged owing to the long traffic jams. The streets in our city are getting from bad to worse for pedestrians. During office hours this creates a big problem. Pedestrians can’t use the broken, narrow and hawker-infested footpaths in the busiest parts of the city and thus run the continuous risk of finding themselves on the other side of the grave. I am sure that the concerned authorities have enough funds to develop the kind of infrastructure where the steering wheel of a driver does not become the wheel of our destiny leading us to our death.
With the increasing rate of unemployment, the number of hawkers in the city is also increasing rapidly and they find it very easy to occupy the pavement to continue their businesses. Now it is high time that some drastic action is taken to put a stop to the sales conducted on the pavements of our city. The number of such dealers is steadily increasing and it threatens to convert all the pavements of the city into a long chain of small shops. These vendors do not pay heed to the cleanliness and we find trash littered around. With their commodities spread all around and with a lamp in the front, the dealers sit at regular intervals and attract a pretty good number of customers with the result that the pavements remain closed to pedestrians. It causes a lot of inconvenience to pedestrians as they are subject to the dangers of being knocked down by running vehicles.
Therefore it is my sincere request to the concerned authorities to take strict action against those who encroach on roads. Besides this if needed these vendors should be assigned particular spaces.
Yours etc.,
Pinaki Nandy,
Via email