SHILLONG, June 26: With the problem of traffic congestion in Shillong getting worse by the day and in the absence of adequate solutions, the Traffic Department is now looking at technological interventions to ease the problems.
The state police has decided to use drones to regulate traffic in the capital city.
Informing this on Monday, Director-General of Police, LR Bishnoi said the idea of using drones was propounded by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Police officials would visit other states and cities to find out how drones can be effectively used to address traffic woes.
The traffic officials would also be provided with training on how to operate the drones, Bishnoi said.
The state government is already examining a proposal to procure a number of drones for the purpose.
The DGP also said that a large number of traffic personnel have been deployed in close to 60 points in and around Shillong but the present strength of the force is hardly enough to cover every inch of the road.
He said traffic cops are already working in two shifts if there is a need for third shift, they would require additional manpower.
It may be recalled that the High Court of Meghalaya has already pulled up the state government for not implementing the short-term and long-term measures suggested by it to check the burgeoning traffic congestion in the city.
The court had observed that several long-term and short-term plans had been indicated, particularly following suggestions by the IIM Shillong and by a foreign agency apparently engaged by the state for such purpose but nothing came out of it.
