Overwhelmed by vehicles; pedestrians ignored
Editor,
I wish to express my deep concern about the increasing menace of vehicles occupying almost every inch of the road in our beautiful city of Shillong. As a resident who has witnessed the rapid growth of traffic, I feel compelled to draw attention to the pressing issue of pedestrian safety and convenience.
In recent times, the number of cars, scooters, and other vehicles has risen significantly, leading to severe congestion on our streets. It has become an everyday struggle for pedestrians to find a safe space to walk on the sidewalks, let alone cross the roads. This issue poses a serious threat to the safety of the elderly, children, and physically challenged individuals who often find themselves stranded amidst a sea of vehicles.
Just recently, on the morning of August 24, 2023, near Anton Hall, a tragic collision involving a two-wheeler occurred, underscoring the gravity of this concern. It is sad to note that the Shillong Traffic Police seem to be over-regulating schools, yet it could not prevent incidents like this. It is important for the Shillong Traffic Police to reevaluate and re-regulate the traffic situation during school hours.
The lack of designated parking spaces and unchecked parking by vehicle owners further exacerbates the problem. This not only obstructs smooth traffic flow but also discourages people from choosing sustainable means of transport such as walking or cycling. Additionally, the situation in Police Bazar, a popular commercial hub, is particularly dire. The influx of vehicles has made it nearly impossible for pedestrians to navigate safely. The once vibrant and bustling area has now turned into a chaotic mess, with vendors encroaching onto walkways and vehicles dominating the remaining space.
The question of shifting vendors to create a full-fledged pedestrian zone raises genuine challenges. These vendors rely on this location for their livelihood, and any sudden relocation might disrupt their daily earnings. Striking a balance between creating a pedestrian-friendly space and ensuring the livelihoods of these vendors requires careful planning and cooperation between authorities, vendors, and the community. It’s crucial for officials to expedite their efforts and find creative solutions that prioritize both pedestrian safety and the economic well-being of local vendors. Delaying action could exacerbate an already precarious situation and hinder the city’s progress towards becoming a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
I urge the concerned authorities to take immediate measures to address this issue. Implementing strict parking regulations, promoting public transportation, vendor management, community engagement and creating dedicated pedestrian zones are some crucial steps that could alleviate the problem. Furthermore, encouraging citizens to adopt eco-friendly modes of transport like cycling and carpooling can significantly reduce traffic congestion and pollution. As responsible citizens, we must all contribute to making Shillong a safer, cleaner, and more pedestrian-friendly city. Collective efforts will lead to positive changes and help preserve the essence of Shillong for future generations to cherish.
Yours etc.,
Pinky Lodh,
Via email
Restrict entry of heavy vehicles in residential areas
Editor,
When those in charge turn a blind eye, trouble brews at an alarming pace. The serenity of Jhalupara Trenching Round Road in Shillong has continuously been disrupted in multiple ways. This problem arises from the unwarranted entry and parking of heavy trucks, turning this peaceful thoroughfare into a cacophonous battleground of inconvenience.
For the locals, this problem has become a daily ordeal, particularly in the morning when residents with their vehicles find themselves grappling with the road blockades caused by the “back and forth” pacing of the noisy and polluting trucks. Frankly speaking, the road, once a peaceful route, has now become a bewildering maze of disorder.
What is most disheartening is the plight of residents of Mawbah (Barapathar) and Nongsohphoh Upper Mawprem trying to escort their children to school or those government employees driving to their offices. The residents are regularly held up on the Trenching Round Road for fifteen minutes to half an hour, sometimes even a full hour. Many parents regularly express their distress at missing school and returning home in disappointment. Is the education of our children less important than collecting revenue from polluting truck parking?
The situation is worsened by the presence of “two-way” entry and irresponsible parking of light cars on both sides of the road right up to TB Hospital Road. It’s nearly impossible for the residents of Upper Mawprem and Mawbah to drive past this route in their light vehicles in the morning hours. Even more concerning is the fact that ambulances carrying sick patients and mortuary vans with dead bodies also get caught up in these stifling traffic jams. Do you know that only about 150 meters from Trenching Round Road is the State’s renowned TB Hospital and Electric Crematorium?
Mr Bhandari, an elderly resident of the village says that the entry of heavy trucks on this road at night, along with their shrill honking disrupts his sleep entirely. After dark, various illicit activities happen here, some too unspeakable to mention. It’s no longer safe for women and children to be out after 6 o’clock in the evening.
With drug peddlers and addicts roaming freely, often mouthing abusive and obscene language, the once peaceful and academically conducive environment of the area has been irrevocably contaminated. Some complain that many shady deals come through behind the trucks, and irresponsible pedestrians are also seen urinating without any shame. Who should be held accountable for this increasing mess? Why are the concerned authorities keeping silent?
On behalf of the aggrieved residents of these neighborhoods, I sincerely draw the urgent attention of the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills, and authorities of the Cantonment Board to treat this concern with the utmost urgency. No children or youths should be “exposed to a nasty environment”. It only goes to adversely pollute their mindsets. Concerned parents often worry about their children falling into the wrong company as peer influence can significantly impact a young person’s behavior and choices. Will it not be a major “liability” of the state if our youth get into wrong habits in such an unhealthy environment?
The immediate removal of truck parking facilities or the entry of the heavy vehicles in residential areas is a must. It is the root cause of all the troubles plaguing the lives of the residents of the area. Moreover, no vehicles should be allowed to blare their horns between 8 pm and 7 am. Ensuring the safety of the residents and preserving a peaceful environment in the “residential areas” must be the government’s top priority. The future of the younger generation should not be “entangled” with the greed of some irresponsible adults.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong