Editor,
While extending my deepest condolences to the families of the three who died in the terrible accident at Pommura, as well as prayers for speedy recovery of those injured, I must say that this accident is unprecedented in the history of traffic deaths anywhere in the world. I say ‘unprecedented’ because it occurred on the left track with head on collision at high speed. In our country the rule for driving is “Keep Left.” With the drivers at present in no mood to adhere to laws and matters made worse by too few Traffic Police force, driving whether on highways or city lanes proves a dangerously confusing exercise. This is my fear about the highway NH 6 from Lad Umroi to Ratacherra – a road with no central divider and which I had raised in this paper. The feeble implementation of driving laws along with modern driving mentality ( when life weighs less than a feather), makes such highways without divider, a daily death stretch.
What happens in our city is no different. As a matter of fact, it’s worse as there are three rules viz ‘Keep Left,’ ‘Keep Right’ and ‘Keep Centre ( for oldies flanked on left and right and wondering at this new world of driving).The only saving grace is that in Shillong city, speed is reduced to less than 5Kmph. Of course our traffic police do try their best to blow their whistles non-stop, without any whistle allowance. The Mawryngkneng- Ratacherra stretch resembles these city lanes, but what makes the traffic conveniently slow are the pot holes that form the lakes. This does something to save lives. On the other hand slow drive is a bliss as the result is long life.
Some years ago while the National Highway from Shillong to Tura was being constructed, there was a report that the Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari had floated the idea of a speed governor for trucks adjusted at 40 Kmph ( the system in the past). But whether it was shelved or hushed conveniently, I can’t say. Technically, this is the reason why from Upper Shillong to Tura the highway built by NHAI possesses no super elevation (from Umshyrpi bridge to Upper Shillong, made by the British) as well as no transition curves to ease the steering on sharp corners. And the life span of tyres is halved. Till date around twenty small trucks like the TATA 709 or 407 had overturned in curves bereft of the above devices. I questioned the PWD on this matter but the reply was they were not part of the work. This is the reason why Sumos take more than 3 hours to reach Nongstoin from Shillong, a distance they comfortably covered in two 2 hours in the past. And let me tell readers that for petrol-run vehicles equipped with modern computerised fuel injection system, it is very easy to install plus warning signals to alert drivers.
So with our daily news over a cup of tea it would be highly appreciated if the Government of the day ensures that speed governors are fitted on every vehicle. With this, the need of CCTV will be redundant especially since in India the rear number plates are cunningly concealed in spite of smart phone technology to do the reporting). We can also do away with personnel manning the roads with speed radars and motor bikes to catch the speeding culprits. And this would also deter the cruel driver from repeating their acts. Though accident cases are filed in the court, we seldom hear of any punishment. More saddening is that today the Accident Tribunal of the Assam days is no longer used. This had helped to some extent to help the family which had lost its bread earning member.
Once again my deepest of condolences to the bereaved families. This is a time when our pen appears too weak and unworthy to express such tragic a loss.
Yours etc.,
James Kharmih
Shillong 1
Critical levels of air pollution
Editor,
The Supreme Court’s emphasis on “immediate response” in dealing with air pollution in New Delhi indicates the gravity of the issue. Bold and urgent measures need to be taken to restore normalcy. Although lockdowns and work from home policy may help combat air pollution to some extent, such measures are insufficient.
It must be understood that all means of livelihood cannot be carried out from home. Such people will be exposed to toxic air. While closing of schools and banning construction work may improve the situation to a certain extent, bolder steps need to be taken to tackle the issue. Given that lockdowns have led to catastrophic consequences in India, all aspects must be explored before imposing lockdowns. As lockdowns adversely affect the unorganized sector, the interests of the sector must be safeguarded. Although the SC had stressed upon the need to curb vehicular and industrial emissions, it is important to identify the industries, plants and vehicles that need to be stopped.
It is a fact that implementation of strict measures is a hard task. Unless there is coordination of different sections of government, implementation of such policies would not be successful. The traffic police must take strict action to get rid of very old and unsafe vehicles. Industries and plants that cause very high pollution must be identified and their working must be stopped. For this, reliable data and rules are required. In fact, concerted efforts of all involved such as the central and state governments, judiciary, municipal bodies and law enforcing agencies are required to restore safe air quality levels.
Yours etc.,
Venu G S,
Kollam