As the state capital’s traffic problems seemingly get worse with each passing day, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo praised those working on the front line to try and bring a little sense to the madness of Shillong’s busy roads – the traffic police.
As part of its diamond jubilee celebrations, Sankardev College felicitated the Shillong Traffic Police, Shillong Municipal Board, Meghalaya Nursing Council and the state chapter of the Trained Nurses Association of India.
Laloo was the chief guest at the programme and said, “As we try to come up with ways and means and hope that we will be able to arrive at a solution, we know that on the ground the traffic personnel are braving the heat, rain and chaos … and this is not an easy feat.”
While many members of the general public might feel that they are experts on the subject, the DC said that the traffic police have a comprehensive understanding and understand the ground realities.
Laloo also said that the government has worked with Dorbar Shnongs, community groups, schools, etc on the issue but, sometimes, a traffic jam can be avoided if people parked their cars a little more responsibly and it is these types of driver discipline that need to be inculcated in the population.
Earlier, district Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger lamented that the Shillong Traffic Police are running with the same numbers of personnel for the past 15 years as successive governments have not approved an increase.
This is the case despite the fact that Shillong sees 500 vehicle registrations every month, with more in other parts of the state, adding up to a massive headache for the men and women at work.
Meanwhile, he also said that the e-challan system is 100 per cent transparent as the fines levied against violators through this process go directly to the state treasury.
Besides the police, Laloo also lauded the Shillong Municipal Board who performed above the call of duty during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When we were completely clueless about the virus and when nobody was willing to come forward to take action, it was the members, workers and cleaners of the SMB who rose to the occasion and helped bereaved families,” she said.
She also lauded the nursing fraternity, who also came forth in a time of crisis and carried on with their work even though that meant putting their lives at risk of Covid-19. Many lost their lives, many were criticised and many stigmatised, Laloo said, but they deserve our thanks and respect.
“It is easy for us to make policies and give orders but we cannot forget the hard work put in by our nurses who are the frontliners,” she added.
