Traffic Management or Mismanagement? A Plea for Logic at Rhino and Barik Points
Editor,
I am writing to express my profound frustration regarding the current traffic flow regulations enforced by the Shillong Traffic Police, specifically concerning the mandatory diversions for commuters traveling toward Laban, Lumshatsngi, Lawsohtun, and Rilbong. This appears to have been in effect since July 1, 2026 and this mismanagement needs to be pointed out to the concerned authorities through your esteemed newspaper.
As it stands, a motorist coming from the Rilbong/Anjalee Point area is prohibited from making a simple right turn at Rhino Point to head toward these residential localities. Instead, we are forced to travel all the way to Barik Point, only to turn back and navigate all the way to Rhino Point again just to make a left turn. This convoluted route adds an unnecessary 1.5 kilometers to every trip.
The absurdity of this “experiment” is further compounded at the Civil Hospital junction. Commuters intending to turn right are similarly denied access and are once again forced to travel to the already gridlocked Barik Point, only to double back through the same congested stretch.
I must ask: what is the logic behind forcing vehicles to contribute to further congestion on the Barik-Civil Hospital stretch? In a city already struggling with severe traffic bottlenecks, these directives seem to achieve the opposite of their intended purpose. We are being forced to waste precious time and burn expensive fuel navigating redundant loops, all while the primary arteries remain choked with vehicles that shouldn’t need to be there in the first place.
While I understand the challenge of managing Shillong’s narrow and complex road network, traffic management should be about efficiency and easing the burden on the public, not creating unnecessary obstacles. I urge the traffic authorities to revisit these directives. We need solutions that prioritize sensible traffic flow, not policies that turn a simple commute into a frustrating, circuitous ordeal.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Loud Speakers/Loud Music continues after 10 PM
Editor,
I do not know about other residential areas, but as a former resident of Mawlai Mawroh and a present resident of Lumshyiap Langkyrding, I can personally attest that loudspeakers/music systems continue to be used well beyond 10 PM even after the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills since 2023 and in violation of Supreme Court order dated 18.07.2025 in C.A. No. 3735 of 2005, which is mentioned in that Order, regarding prevention of sound pollution.
The sound from such loudspeakers is not confined to the specific vicinity of such celebrations but causes disturbance to other residents as well. One such incident of sound pollution happened recently until the morning hours of Wednesday, July 1st.
I implore all localities and residents to have some common sense for the common good and implement the above-mentioned order in letter and spirit, which arose from a good sense of the need to prevent noise pollution.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Shillong
Ethanol Blended Fuel Is Destroying Car Components
Editor,
My family bought a car in January 2023 and it functioned very smoothly for the past three years. However, since Nitin Gadkari introduced ethanol blending fuel even our car has started giving problems. First the mileage dropped and thereafter the air-conditioner stopped functioning. I really don’t understand what is happening to our vehicles. It’s not just the old cars; even new cars are also affected by ethanol-blended fuel. Why is the Government imposing ethanol on every vehicle whereas in other countries there is a choice and one can opt for ethanol-blended fuel or 100% petrol fuel? The Government allows its citizens this choice but here in INDIA we are being treated as guinea pigs. Are Indians now becoming subjects for some experiments?
Ethanol blending in petrol is an experiment and the results will be available by next year, the Union Government has told the Supreme Court. If the Government has already told the Supreme Court that this is an experimental phase, why is the experiment being carried out on such a massive scale, resulting in our vehicles being damaged? We middle-class citizens purchase vehicles with our hard-earned money and then without any rhyme or reason, our new cars are being damaged due to ethanol-blended fuel.
Why is the Government of India riding roughshod over the public by imposing ethanol-blended petrol on us? Some car insurance companies had even put up notices stating that if cars are spoilt due to ethanol-blended fuel, the insurance claim will be rejected by the company. In this case whom should we blame? We are in a dilemma as to what will happen if people using E-20 vehicles move on to E-27 and then E-30 vehicles? Will we then have to change our vehicles? This way the middle class will never be able to purchase a new vehicle because this entire strategy will hit the middle class the hardest. They will be under debt burdens for ever. They will never be free from car loans ever. I remember that film Lagaan where a Britisher said, “teen guna lagaan wasool karunga.” (We will get back three times the taxes). This is what is happening with us right now if ethanol blended fuel is not stopped.
Everybody knows that making ethanol-blended fuel requires water, and the entire nation will soon run out of water as Mumbai is already facing a water crisis. We Indians are helpless before this Government, which is taking many wrong decisions and creating havoc among the public. The moisture in the fuel tank is causing car components to rust and replacing these components is very expensive which the public has to bear from their own pockets since claims get rejected due to ethanol-blended fuel.
Yours etc.,
Amit King
Shillong-4
Heat Wave Kills
Editor,
The heat wave that has swept across Europe has created a foreboding atmosphere in the continent. A large number of people have lost their lives in the horrendous heat. Sweltering temperatures have badly affected normal life. Over the years, the European continent famous for its cool atmosphere has shifted to a hot one in the summer season. This year’s summer season has literally turned Europe into a hot oven. Dry air is transported to Europe from North Africa making the continent a rapidly heated place. Millions of people have experienced temperature above 30° C. Such an ominous occurrence serves as a warning to people and political leaders. Global warming caused by human activities comes back to haunt people. Nothing substantial is being done to combat global warming and climate change. Carbon emission, especially by developed countries continues unabated. Unless political leaders take practical measures to lessen the impact of global warming, extreme weather conditions will continue to torment people. Concerted efforts are essential to counter such a phenomenon. We must make earth a better place to live for posterity.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Kollam
