Editor,
Covid has gone. It is no longer a threat or a danger to us all. Shillong however, soon to be followed by Jowai, Tura, Nongstoin and other semi urban habitations of Meghalaya, are already struck or will soon be struck with another common predicament and that is, how to move from point A to point B. The dilemma shall be traffic. Traffic as defined by Wikipedia is the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, carts, horses , donkeys or what have you, along a designated road, from one place to another. The defining word here is Movement! Movement on Meghalaya urban roads is becoming impossible and forget vehicles even pedestrian movement along Shillong roads have already become a death trap.
As a matter of conjecture, based on existing ground realities, five years hence, driving from Laitkor to Mawiong might take not less than 12 hours or more. VIPs (and they all, every single one of them, lack complete road sense) will then have to leg it like the rest of us, gun-toting security wallas not withstanding. Tra-la-la-la-la ; Hoi kiw; What joy; uncared for traffic would then bring everyone back to the same level of egalitarianism. Hundreds of concerned citizens have written on the subject the latest being “Shillong traffic jams defy solutions” by Delizia Sohtun and the article “Shillong Governing Authority, is a must!” By Rudi Warjri, both in the S.T Oct 27th 2022. Everyone has shown concern. Individuals in articles and Letters to the Editor, groups, organizations and institutions , all have expressed their anxiety over the matter. The only things ( I use the word “thing” purposely for a thing is usually an inanimate, lifeless, lacking qualities expressive of life and vigour, insipid object) are the Government, the ADCs and our revered Dorbars. Yes, I too, entirely agree with observations made from time to time that what we lack most to improve our traffic system is “Political Will” which seems as far away as distant Venus!
But humans survive because of that quality known as optimism. So let’s be optimistic a bit and imagine that we have discovered a Viagra that will rouse that limp, drooping political will. Let’s imagine we have the three lethargic languid organs of governance mentioned above ready, keen and raring to give traffic a good workout. So what is it that needs to be done? First I fully endorse Bah Rudi Warjri’s proposal for a Shillong Governing Authority. But this authority will require funds for repair of neglected civic infrastructure. So the first move will be to have the will for an elected Body/ Municipal Corporation/ Authority / whatever if we are to attract the attention of the Ministry of Urban Affairs and its funding. Otherwise, zip up and forget the whole thing. If such a Body can materialise then we need to arm it with strict enforcement regulations, insofar as vehicular traffic and roads are concerned. (a) No vehicle above 10 years be allowed on the streets. Be strict, no VIP exception and set up electronic monitors at all major roads for digitized data on this score (b) no household be allowed more than 2 cars max. (c) No overnight parking on roads. No registration for vehicles whose owners cannot provide proof of owning parking space. (d) Get the authority to spend money for parking areas inside the city. Whoever proposed shopping malls in the Barik PWD compound and at the old MTC building at Khyndailad is an idiot and he should be told so. (e) let the authority identify and construct embarking and disembarking points for buses and cabs. (f) Last but not least get a set of firm regulations on how to regulate two wheelers. They have become a menace and a source of danger for both motorists and pedestrians.
In conclusion everyone has come to the conclusion that Shillong roads cannot be expanded and this is a practical view. However one comes across hilarious suggestions (mostly from Govt) for cable cars, gondola lifts etc. With the power situation as it is, I would be the last person who has the wish to be dangling somewhere over downtown. Some have suggested flyovers, provided private land owners are willing to give their land or part of it for the foundation. Otherwise forget it. An underground subway is something no one has thought of. Other mountainous cities have used it; the technology is there; no one’s permission will be required if we drill underground and if we have an elected body, funding would be no problem. The only fear perhaps is of it falling in a highly seismic zone. However other endemically seismic places like Japan have developed a safe and dependable technology for this. I strongly recommend that it should be tried as one of the JICCA funding projects for the urgent regulation of traffic in Shillong.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
A big boost for sportspersons
Editor,
It was heartening to read of the successful sports persons who brought laurels for the State and country in different disciplines. It is also encouraging to learn that the cash award for gold medal winners has been raised from Rs 7500 to Rs 2.5 lakhs. That’s a quantum jump and a huge incentive for sports aficionados. Meghalaya has no dearth of sporting talent but in the past these talents were not spotted or did not receive adequate government support. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the annual budget allocation for Sports was to the tune of Rs 500 crore which is a quantum jump from the pittance that used to be allocated by previous governments. It is not that Meghalaya has not produced sportspersons of repute in the past but they received scant recognition and the cash awards were not significant enough to push them to try harder.
I was watching the women archers the other day practicing for the North East Olympics and my heart swelled with pride. There is no sport on this earth where women cannot take part on an equal footing with men and with due encouragement and better facilities both men and women can bring Meghalaya to the limelight in the national and international sporting events. Meghalaya may not have won any medals in the National Games in Gujarat held in September this year but we can only hope that our sportspersons across disciplines will bring out their inherent talents under the best coaches. We wish them all the best and hope that the State Sports Department will do its part too in making the North East Olympics a memorable event.
Yours etc.,
B. Mawlong,
Via email