SHILLONG, Aug 25: In view of multiple Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses seen parked at Khyndai Lad during busy hours, the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has proposed that these buses should be prohibited from proceeding to the commercial centre of the town to decongest traffic in the city.
The STP has submitted the proposal in this regard to East Deputy Commissioner.
It is seen that large number of SPTS buses, sometimes more than 10, are seen parked in queue at Police Bazar during the busy hours which often leads to traffic congestion in the area, according to the STP
Speaking about the measures taken to reduce traffic snarls, outgoing Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Shailendra Bamaniya said e-challan system has been implemented in the city, while entry and exit of heavy vehicles from 8 am to 8 pm has been restricted.
“We are trying to strengthen the organisation and we are even purchasing breath analysers etc,” he said.
The STP has manpower of 425 personnel including 95 home guards assisting in management of traffic. In a single shift, 170-180 traffic personnel are deployed on the road. According to the SP (Traffic), the prime reasons for traffic snarls in Shillong are hawkers conducting businesses on the roadside and the dearth of parking facilities in the city.
It is worth noting that Shillong, a hilly city known for tourism attractions, draws in vehicles from other states, especially during holidays.
The state government has, since ages, contemplated the idea of constructing flyover but it continues to remain a distant dream.
Sadly, even the small bypasses in the city announced by the government are yet to see the light of day.
