Time for Govt to seriously address Shillong’s traffic woes
Editor,
With the ever-increasing traffic problems in Shillong, it is important to analyze whether some of the policies followed by the government so far, as the management of traffic in Shillong is concerned, are helping in easing traffic problems. Operation of the Shillong Public Transport (SPT) commonly called red buses is a case in point. 120 such buses were procured in 2011 and another 240 buses in 2013 under the GOI-funded JNNURM. Although a lesser number of buses would have sufficed the requirement for Shillong in the second phase, we insisted on 240 more buses as a sign of pride rather than practicality. All these 360 buses were meant for Shillong city. The idea at that time was that with efficient public transportation, people would opt for the system and consequently the number of private taxis would come down and ease traffic movement in the city. At the end of the day, it seems the opposite has happened.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was created with top bureaucrats as members to manage the entire operation and with MUDA as the nodal agency. In the initial years, MTC was selected for the operation of the buses on a net revenue-sharing model on a 70:30 basis, but the marriage did not last long. Later on, on the advice of the Ministry Private-Public Partnership (PPP) route was adopted. Tenders were floated, and SHGs and NGOs with next to zero experience in public transport operation were identified for running the system. A good number of buses were handed over to each operator to run the public transport system for Shillong on a net revenue sharing model on a 50:50 basis with operational etiquette, fixed routes, number of trips, frequency and operational costs fixed by the government. It was expected that these operators would take up the maintenance of the vehicles out of the gross revenue earned. Many of the operators were practically hand-picked with zero experience in the field. Electronic ticketing machines were also issued to the operators.
By around 2015, work also started for an Intelligent Tracking System and a Central Control Room for real-time monitoring and supervision of these buses. Funding for the purpose was provided by GOI. In the beginning, the plan was to develop multiple bus terminals in the outskirts where the buses would be parked, and buses would ply through the identified routes in the city with no long-time stoppage allowed within the city limits. Land for the terminals was identified/provided in Mawblei, Mawlai, Upper Shillong, Pynthorumkrah and New Shillong. Sadly, instead of becoming terminals, many of these sites have become graveyards for these buses. Parallelly, maxi cabs were introduced as Subsidiary Shillong Public Transport (SSPT) primarily to serve the interior areas of the city not covered by the SPT buses. Shillong Municipal Board was made the nodal agency. The operation of SSPT was also on a net revenue-sharing basis.
What is the state of the Shillong Public Transport today and what is the purpose they are serving is the question in every citizen’s mind. As one enters the city one is greeted with crumbling skeletons of these buses, the few that still ply are a disrespect to a government-owned public utility with a complete lack of repairs and maintenance. The majority of buses are already dead and buried; there was no discipline or professionalism on the part of the operators; there was lack of punctuality with no sense of timing and the only certificate to operate being the ML01 tag.
It is not uncommon to see 10 to 20 buses being parked at a time along any stretch of the city road. In today’s traffic scenario in Shillong, the SPT buses have turned out to be more of a hurdle than a traffic solution for Shillong. Where on earth would you find 10-20 buses parked along the road, empty of passengers and oblivious to the chaos that they are creating? Drivers are busy on their mobile phones. Even the traffic police look on helplessly and any suggestion is met with strong political opposition.
The thought that comes to mind with the current performance, is how the system is sustaining itself. To top it all, even other private buses are competing alongside the SPT buses and seem to be doing well. Is the government now providing the operators with the operational costs? Is any revenue being shared with MUDA as earlier envisaged and the agreement signed? God alone knows whether there is any monitoring being done by MUDA, the nodal agency. It is high time now that the performance of STP is reviewed keeping in view the deteriorating traffic situation in the city. There are possibilities of refurbishing and rerouting these buses to serve the outskirts of the city and bring in discipline among the operators. The central part of the city could be covered by the SSPT maxi cabs which appears to be more suitable to our road and traffic conditions.
Even if small changes are made, it can have a profound impact on the city traffic. In fine, lack of experience on the part of the operators and lack of monitoring and enforcement by the nodal agency appears to be the main reason for the failure of the SPT buses. Blaming the Shillong Traffic Police is useless so long as we keep their hands tied. While we as citizens debate endlessly on the traffic scenario in the city and blame flies thick and fast, it is high time that the State Government sits down and reviews this aspect of the transportation system of the city and brings about changes keeping in view the deterioration happening every day in the city roads. Only smart roads, new commercial centres and multi-storeyed office complexes will not make life easier for citizens of Shillong but changes have to be made in all the public utilities in the city.
Yours etc,
B. Dutta,
Shillong-1