By B M Lanong
Whether one likes it or lumps it, the rising traffic congestion in Shillong City and in the adjoining areas, has become more of a man-made affair, than anything today, where many, if not all, are directly or indirectly involved in it. Hence, solution to this serious issue should be a possibility, provided ‘we the people’, voluntarily decide, or are otherwise compelled to decide and wake up now and to be realistic enough, to make a small sacrifice for a lasting public cause, with the government to be, not only ubiquitous, but in the fore-front, being the sole whistle blower of these affairs.
The seriousness of this growing congestion, prompted even the Hon’ble High Court of the State to express its advisory note on the deteriorating situation about a fortnight ago, this being not only a public issue of utmost importance, but also to see that those who are in public affairs should initiate positive measures for a lasting solution.
Interestingly, even nature participated in this agenda, by striking a note of warning, when coincidently, around mid-day of August 14 last, on a busy Saturday, in the midst of all the normal hurly-burly activities and excitements, suddenly like a bolt from the blue and reportedly, like what goes on in the Gaza strip, a ball of smoke, followed by blazing fire, rose to the sky from the Janata Furniture of the Singhanias in Thana Road, Police Bazar, adjoining the biggest Barabazar (Iewduh), forcing the people to run helter-skelter in a daze, in the midst of wild screaming voices, added by the rushing Police and Army personnel, blowing whistle and sirens to drive away all the road-side vendors, to enable fire-brigade vehicles to proceed to the site of fire accident.
Despite all these attempts, the Janata Furnitue building suffered a serious devastation, including the loss of life of one worker, due to delay caused. This is only one small instance, which will ever go down in memory.
This old narrow motorable strip, cutting across Police Bazar to Umsohsun junction, whose length is about 400 meters more or less, should be restored exclusively for the public as traditionally used earlier, strictly restricting all hawkers from crowding, most of who are workers of the big wholesalers behind these make-shift stands, affecting seriously movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
In a sensible demonstration of public unity for a common cause, is the decision of Laitumkhrah Dorbar to address the issue within its jurisdiction, where hawkers have occupied all the routes which were earlier used as parking spaces for vehicles of local people and other customers and buyers. It will be advisable for other localities also to follow suit. Government should also press for immediate completion of Laitumkhrah Municipal Market Complex which has been under reconstruction for several years, this snail-pace unconcerned execution is the cause of all congestions in and around the area.
Judicial Approach
One can witness and compare the width of the roads everywhere in and around congested Shillong, then and now, when the protuberant buildings have sprung up or otherwise, encroached over the public roads both by individuals and shop keepers, leaving the width of roads narrower. In some cases, by fencing the area or erecting a wall and in many cases, protruding to the road side by making parking spaces or with connecting slabs and platforms over the entrance by encroaching on the public roads, affecting normal flow of vehicles, especially on the narrow thoroughfares.
Government may initiate legal proceedings against encroachers of public property within various sections of the IPC. But considering the need for speedy widening of roads for public interest, it may not be advisable to go by legal approach as of now, for there are other lawful and administrative options available, that the Government can even acquire private land for public interest. It may even apply dual or multiple processes, considering the intensity of public need. Initially however, a negotiable approach is advisable.
Fly-Over a must
Erecting a Fly-over is possible and a must, even while considering the narrow width of the main life-line, that is, the traditional backbone of the State standing loftily since the British era, whose width, stretching from Madanrting Happy Valley, down to Mawlai-Mawiong site, cutting across areas along Fire Brigade to Barik Point, onward to Garrison site, then to Sunny Hills and other localities, before reaching the above destination. The entire width of the above mentioned stretch, respectively ranges between 8-9 to 12-13 meters approximately, that is, the existing width of the above-mentioned length of the road, minus the several encroachments of the past.
Considering the above width over the said route, where all kinds of light and heavy vehicles ply over to and fro on a daily basis, to several districts of Meghalaya and beyond, at least one Fly-Over, along the above stretch of the road, whose total length is around 20 kms approximately, is a dire necessity as of now. Builders will take all necessary care and precautions to erect the pillars all along the stretch, preferably for medium and light vehicles, to ply over the bridge, whereas heavy vehicles will continue to use the ground road level. Diversion points, wherever feasible, can be looked into by experts.
In many Metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and others, many high-rise structures, including those lawfully erected, have been demolished, for public needs, taking precedence over the others. In Guwahati City too, similar demolitions are being carried out from time to time, to provide spaces for several fly-overs, one can witness today.
If other states can do, why not Meghalaya? The Conrad Sangma Government may consider, at least to take a decision and lay a foundation stone by the end of the year, if not earlier.
In conclusion, why can’t individuals and NGO’s, as a gesture of good will and solidarity, appeal to concerned land owners, to voluntarily come forward to donate, at least a foot of land each for this noble cause, something like a tip of an iceberg, but will act as a panacea during the ongoing dire strait.