Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to express my disgust at the congestion in Shillong. As soon as we step out of our residence our blood pressure soars up because we are stranded on the road, courtesy traffic jams; a daily occurrence in and around the city and the bye lanes of various localities of the town. Ironically while we are left sweating inside our vehicles anxious to reach our destination on time, VIP vehicles and their escorts blare their sirens and overtake all vehicles as if all others are an idle good for nothing lot. ‘Disgusting’ is the only word that can be attributed to this traffic snarl in the city. I wonder if the government/police traffic department would be in a position to ease this congestion.
It is not only the roads that are congested but also the pavements and market places. A pedestrian is not allowed to walk conveniently. We have to be careful of potholes on pavements and of hawkers who crowd our walking space. If we happen to tread on their goods we would be showered with foul language. In Iewduh, the vendors peddle their goods all along the lanes of the market leaving very little space for shoppers to walk around and buy their necessities. There is no Syiem or Myntri to control them. Anyone can start shop anywhere. Hence shoppers are pushed against each other. I cannot help but recall the words of a friend from Delhi who visited Shillong. She said the people of Shillong are living in hell as she faced all the above inconveniences during her stay here. Is this what we call a tourist’s paradise?
Yours etc.,
Dr Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4