Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and happiness to the Government of Meghalaya, District administration, Police & Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) for their commendable work in creating a safe and accessible walking space in Khyndailad. It brings immense relief and joy to be able to walk freely without the fear of theft, concern for my children’s safety, or the worry of being hit by passing vehicles. This thoughtful initiative has greatly improved the quality of life for pedestrians and families alike. I sincerely thank the SMB for this commendable step towards ensuring public safety and promoting a more walkable city.
However, I would also like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the pressing issues faced in other parts of Shillong, especially Laitumkhrah and Dhankheti. In Dhankheti, almost all footpaths have been encroached upon. New stalls and thelas appear daily, leaving hardly any space for pedestrians. From Laitumkhrah Police Point to the Fire Brigade junction, footpaths have practically disappeared, and hawkers have taken over at least 5 to 6 feet of the motorable road. This severely obstructs vehicular movement and poses a significant safety risk.
Laitumkhrah houses many of the city’s schools and colleges. Every day, parents with school bags on their backs and children in hand are forced to walk on roads jam-packed with cars and two-wheelers, with little to no footpath available. The fear of an accident is constant and very real. If we are to promote ‘Walk Shillong’ as envisioned by many citizens, then where is the space for us and our children to walk safely?
Another critical area is the entrance to Nazareth Hospital. Stalls have been set up right on the road, customers are sitting on a mura and having tea right on the road next to a passing car, making it nearly impossible for two cars to pass side by side. Yesterday around 3 PM, I witnessed an ambulance struggling to enter the hospital due to traffic congestion. The situation was made worse by a newly installed shed at the hospital gate, which delayed the ambulance—precious time lost for someone in need. This area has become extremely risky, and immediate intervention is needed.
I would also like to highlight a concern that recently came to light through several interviews circulating on social media. Local shopkeepers at Laitumkhrah Market have expressed deep frustration over the declining state of their businesses. According to them, one major reason is the growing number of hawkers and vendors occupying the footpaths right outside their shops.
While many customers now prefer buying from these street-side stalls due to convenience and lower prices, the registered shopkeepers continue to bear the burden of paying rent, taxes, and electricity bills, with fewer customers walking into their stores. This creates an unfair business environment and threatens the sustainability of small, legitimate businesses that have been part of the market for decades.
The concern is not just about competition—it’s also about the unchecked spread of informal vending, which negatively impacts pedestrian safety and market discipline. Many of these vendors operate without proper licenses or regulation, yet occupy the public walking space meant for safe movement.
I sincerely request the concerned authorities to take urgent steps to address these issues and ensure that the safety and mobility of pedestrians and emergency services are not compromised. Let Khyndailad be the beginning—not the exception—of a truly walkable and safe Shillong.
Yours etc.,
P Majaw,
Shillong-1
One Lane, One Rule: Stay in Line
Editor,
One regularly witnesses traffic at a standstill on the narrow Shillong roads. Stranded vehicles wait patiently, obeying traffic rules, when suddenly a group of two-wheelers begin forcing their way through the gaps on either side, riding dangerously close to the center line, often moving into the lane of oncoming vehicles. This all-too-familiar scene is not just a small annoyance. It is a growing problem that worsens traffic jams, puts lives at risk, and shows how weak traffic discipline has become in our city.
In busy areas like Police Bazar, Bara Bazar, near Don Bosco, Rhino Point, Rilbong Point, Dhankheti, and other places where roads are already narrow and traffic is heavy this behaviour has become common and irksome. Two-wheelers use the edges of the road, sometimes even going the wrong way, to pass stationary vehicles. While some may see this as a harmless shortcut, it causes serious harm. This reckless riding takes up space needed by vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Cars, taxis, and buses must slow down or stop completely to avoid crashing, creating traffic blocks where there should not be any.
This thoughtless rush, meant to avoid delays, actually causes more delays. Instead of helping traffic move, it disrupts the flow—especially at sharp turns and crossings where drivers cannot see an approaching two-wheeler properly. What one rider gains in seconds, hundreds of commuters lose in long waits. The result? Worse traffic, growing frustration, and a higher chance of accidents.
This is not just about inconvenience. It is about safety and survival. Riding on the wrong side is not a shortcut; it is a danger to one’s life. One sudden stop, one wrong move, and someone could die. Pedestrians, schoolchildren, older people—they are all at greater risk because of this reckless behaviour. And yet, many riders act as if only they matter. This is not freedom—it is selfishness. And it is harming our city’s ability to move safely.
Traffic police officers stand for hours under the hot sun or heavy rain, guiding vehicles with patience and care. They handle tough situations with few people and limited tools. They are not missing—they are overworked. Blaming them is not fair, and it does not help. The real problem is not poor enforcement—it is poor public awareness. Too many two-wheeler riders think rules do not apply to them.
Shillong deserves better. We are a city under pressure from more vehicles, growing crowds, and overloaded roads. The least we can ask for is basic traffic order. Simple solutions-clear lane markings, designated two-wheeler lanes, consistent patrolling, and public awareness campaigns-can go a long way in restoring safety and flow.
This is not about blaming two-wheelers. It is about fairness. It is about safety. It is about making sure one person’s hurry does not hurt everyone else.
Let us not let personal impatience ruin the lives of many. It is time for the authorities to act quickly-and for citizens to demand change. Smoother, safer, and more predictable traffic is not a privilege. It is a right. And it starts with respect-for lanes, for laws, and for each other.
Yours etc.,
Dr Omarlin Kyndiah,
Via email