Editor,
There has been much talk and debate surrounding the traffic congestion in the State capital. The scenario will progressively get worse in the future. It is dreadful to think what the situation will look like if some drastic action is not taken by the authorities.
Desperate situations call for radical and innovative solutions. One of the possible solutions is the introduction of Cable Cars technology to ferry commuters in and around the city. In the city of Medellin, Columbia, for example, cable cars were introduced in 2004 as a means of urban transportation. The cable cars connected the hillside neighbourhoods and it demonstrated that the cable car technology is viable and is an affordable mode of transport. The relative low cost of construction and operation attracted the interest of many countries especially in Europe.
The World Bank in 2020 published a study “Urban Ariel Cable Cars as Mass Transit System”. The study includes a description of the main characteristics of the infrastructure, travel demand, and the business model for construction and operation. The World Bank is very keen to fund such projects as it recognises the challenges and the problems of urban transportation.
The city of Medellin is dotted with hills and is situated at an elevation of 1,495 meters above sea level which is very similar to Shillong.
A decade ago, Shillong was referred to, as a town but today it is a city. The city continues to grow and so has the population. The need of the citizens is continuously changing and so is the culture and the life style of the people. The authorities need to recognise these changes which are glaringly taking place right in front of our very own eyes.
Taking cue from the city of Medellin, the idea of cable cars as a means of transportation is definitely possible to be introduce in the city. All it needs is the will power and determination of the authorities. In our State particularly, implementation will not be a hurdle if the communities (Dorbars) are involved.
There are various business models for the construction and operation of the cable car project.
1. The Public Works model, which is put out to tender the execution of works, with state operation and maintenance.
2.Public-Private partnership model for operations and maintenance.
Cable cars in Shillong can start from Laitkor with stop overs at Madanrting, Nongthymmai, Laitumkhrah, Khyndai Lad, Iew duh and the last point at Mawlai and back to Laikor. In fact Cable Cars can be very much a part of the much talked ‘Smart City Project’. The introduction of cable cars will greatly benefit not only the residents of the city but also for those from the adjoining places like Sohra, Ri Bhoi areas, Smit and others who travel in and out of the city mostly for trading and other businesses. Speaking to several cabbies in the city about the prospect of cable car technology, I was rather surprised that they are very supportive of the idea as it will ease traffic congestion and they can operate more trips. In fact, the cable car operation will not affect the operations of the local taxis or any other transportation.
The project will not occupy large spaces of land and therefore there should not be any apprehension about displacement of residents as in the case of road widening. The technology is also pollution free and will generate employment in the area of operations.
There will be costs involved but it must not be perceived as expenditure but rather an investment for the benefit of the larger population. The World Bank as mentioned above can partly fund the project. Surely the Government and other authorities have sufficient experience on fund raising.
It is high time the citizens of Shillong lead a life that is less stressful, breathe a less polluted air and become more productive. If successful, this can be a model of urban transportation for the rest of the country. Our State has shown since time immemorial how we protect our forests (Sacred Groves) and erect living roots to connect and all this through our traditional knowledge and wisdom. Surely the cable car technology can be a success if we are determined to serve the people of the city and the State at large.
Yours etc.,
Albert Andrew Nongrum,
Via email
Why make us guinea pigs?
Editor,
The news report Govt rejects AITC plea for probe into smart meter,” (ST March18, 2022) comes as no surprise. This Government has amply demonstrated its dictatorial character. In Meghalaya the price of smart meters was first billed at Rs 9000 and later after questions were raised it was brought down to Rs 3000. We are told the Asian Development Bank would be funding these smart meters while Satnam Global Infra Ltd will procure and install the meters here. Apparently Satnam wanted to get some land on lease for assembling the smart meters. But it appears these smart meters are Chinese made and buying sensitive smart meters linked to Wifi could be a national security issue. The Government of India had specifically ordered that Chinese products are not to be used.
When Prestone Tynsong became Power Minister, he halted the smart meter deal. But after a lull it is learnt that the deal is back on track. The question not asked is how can smart meters function without Wifi facilities. Does every household in Meghalaya have Wifi facility? Wifi is site and frequency selective, meaning that if one is not connected and does not get the message from MeECL that it’s the last date for payment of bills then the power will be disconnected. That’s the problem with smart meters. .
When the country is run by politicians that are close to corporates, such things happen. Now the Power Minister has ruled out a probe on smart meters but what happens if the public refuse to be smart -metered and insist that the Government first uses those smart meters in the homes of all ministers and Government employees? Let the MDA Government be the guinea pig. But let this Government also beware that 2023 is coming and we have a choice whether or not to be smart-metered. The smart meter may well be the MDA Government’s Waterloo.
Yours etc.,
W. Passah
Ex HOD Electronics,
St. Edmund’s College