Editor,
I read the news item published in The Shillong Times on December 4, 2025, and felt it necessary to express a few earnest thoughts on the recent initiative taken by Sankardev College, the Drug User Community, and the DREAM Mission to conduct a statewide drug use survey. The presence of our Hon’ble Chief Minister and senior officers during the MoU signing sent a clear message that the matter is finally being taken up with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. For many of us, this brings reassurance that the safety of our young people is at last receiving the level of attention it demands.
The survey will undoubtedly serve as a crucial foundation for formulating effective and evidence-based strategies to confront this alarming menace. What adds further strength to this initiative is the humane and thoughtful way it has been shaped. By involving groups like MUF and MeduNet, the government and partnering institutions have acknowledged that addiction cannot be addressed through fear or punishment alone. Real solutions begin when we listen, when we try to understand the silent struggles people face, and when we treat every affected person with dignity. For countless families across Meghalaya who quietly endure the pain of a child struggling with addiction, this approach brings a ray of hope.
At the same time, this moment reminds us that the road ahead is long. The Government alone cannot win this battle. Every school, every church, every NGO, every locality, and every responsible citizen must accept this as a shared duty. Awareness programmes, sincere conversations with young people, counselling support, attentive parenting, and vigilant communities are not just suggestions-they are essential if we want to protect our children. As elders, teachers, and guardians, we cannot look away and expect someone else to shoulder this responsibility.
The proposal to create Drug-Free Localities is encouraging, but its success will depend on genuine community ownership and sustained action. A dedicated government fund for anti-drug initiatives would further strengthen the efforts of many small organisations and communities that wish to contribute but often lack the necessary resources.
Let the initiative taken by Sankardev College inspire others across the state. And may our collective seriousness, responsibility, and goodwill bring us closer to the day every Meghalayan longs for-a day when our children grow up safe, our homes are peaceful, and our beloved state stands united in overcoming the drug menace.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
Paying to Park, Paying the Price
Editor,
The recent imposition of paid parking in parts of the city under the Meghalaya Urban Parking Policy 2025 raises fundamental questions about democratic governance and the rights of citizens to equitable access to common resources. The policy sets higher rates in commercial zones and lower rates in residential areas. While the government frames this as congestion management rather than revenue generation, the implementation reveals a troubling narrowness in how we value public space and who benefits from state decisions.
The idea that citizens should now pay a “fair share” of parking costs hides a more regressive reality. Car ownership in Meghalaya is far from evenly distributed across income groups. By commodifying public street parking, which was historically free, the policy places a heavier burden on lower-income residents and workers, especially those living in older, denser neighbourhoods without private parking. Wealthier citizens can absorb these costs or rely on private alternatives, turning what should be a shared public resource into yet another financial barrier. Introducing fees without improving public transport or pedestrian infrastructure further reduces this policy to a cost imposed on the public rather than a genuine mobility solution. And in a city where congestion comes from narrow roads, poor planning and limited transport options, it is obvious that parking alone will not untangle Shillong’s traffic.
Taxi associations from Rynjah and Nongmensong have already opposed this implementation, recognising the direct pressure it puts on their daily earnings. For workers in the informal economy, public space is not a convenience but an essential infrastructure for survival. Introducing charges without meaningful community consultation signals a worrying disregard for the people who depend the most on these spaces. Citizens also deserve clarity on how revenue collected from paid parking will be used, and whether it will genuinely support mobility and public-space improvements. It is also hard to ignore the contradiction of turning parking spaces like the MUDA lot into vending zones, especially when the government is looking ahead to expanding and exploring new parking infrastructure across the city.
What makes this even more concerning is our collective silence. As citizens, we rarely question policies that directly affect our everyday lives, and issues like these fade into the background until they become permanent. If we do not raise our voices on decisions that reshape our streets and our mobility, then who will?
Shillong deserves policies shaped through dialogue and grounded in public interest, not decisions introduced without the participation of the people they affect most.
Yours etc.,
Nicholas Jason Iangrai
Via email
Need for Responsible Use of Narrow City Lanes
Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to highlight a growing concern on the narrow lanes of Shillong, particularly along busy internal roads like Upper Lachaumiere etc. Daily commuters are well aware that overtaking by two-wheelers in these constricted stretches often brings traffic to a complete standstill, especially when vehicles from the opposite direction are forced to halt mid-way.
A major contributing factor to this congestion is the increasing presence of high-end, large vehicles in these narrow lanes. While every vehicle has a right to the road, it is evident that these bigger models struggle to manoeuvre in tight spaces. When such vehicles approach from both directions simultaneously, the already narrow passage becomes even more restricted, slowing traffic to an uncomfortable crawl. The situation worsens when two-wheelers weave through the gaps to overtake, disrupting the natural flow and creating confusion for all road users.
As responsible citizens, I believe those of us who own high-end, wider vehicles should be more mindful in choosing routes appropriate for our vehicles. Avoiding these narrow lanes, especially during peak hours, would greatly ease congestion and ensure smoother movement for everyone. A small change in individual behaviour can have a significant positive impact on collective commute experience.
I urge the concerned authorities to also consider issuing route advisories or signage to help motorists make informed decisions. Improving discipline among two-wheeler riders regarding overtaking rules would further enhance safety and traffic flow.
Shillong’s roads demand patience and cooperation. Let us all play our part in making them safer and more efficient.
Yours etc.,
Dr Omarlin Kyndiah,
Via email
