September 23, Shillong: The Meghalaya State Planning Board has identified the shortage of traffic constables as a significant factor contributing to the growing traffic congestion in Shillong. According to the Board’s Chairman Metbah Lyngdoh, the current allocation of only 150 traffic constables across the city’s seven police stations is insufficient, a number initially designed for just two or three stations.
To address this issue, the Board will recommend that the government immediately increase the number of traffic constables. “The most immediate solution we have identified is the lack of manpower,” Chairman Metbah Lyngdoh said.
“We will suggest that the government immediately allocate more constables to the Home Department. While there are about 400 home guards, they cannot be relied upon for traffic regulation,” he said.
The Planning Board also discussed a comprehensive approach to managing the city’s traffic issues. Lyngdoh emphasized that the board’s role is to provide suggestions and recommendations to the government.
“It is then up to the government to approve, implement, or modify these suggestions,” he noted.
During the State Planning Board meeting held on Monday, the Board requested detailed presentations from all departments involved in traffic management, including Urban Affairs, PWD, Transport, and Home Police.
Lyngdoh acknowledged the challenges faced by various departments in implementing traffic solutions but affirmed the Board’s commitment to working towards practical resolutions.
“We are here to listen to each department and offer recommendations based on their input. Today, we reviewed several presentations, and in about a week, we will reconvene for further discussions. Our priority is to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to tackle the traffic issue,” Lyngdoh stated.
Reflecting on urban development, Lyngdoh recalled a 2018 suggestion to the Chief Minister to consider building a new city outside Shillong. “The government is exploring that idea, but our immediate focus remains on managing Shillong’s traffic congestion,” he said.
When asked about implementing an odd-even traffic rule, Lyngdoh stated that no decision has been made yet. He indicated that further discussions would be held with PWD experts in the next meeting, along with a review of existing and future action plans.
Lyngdoh concluded by highlighting ongoing efforts to reduce traffic during peak school hours, noting that the Urban Affairs Department’s STEMS scheme has helped slightly reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. However, he emphasized that more substantial measures, such as encouraging the use of buses instead of individual cars for school transport, may be necessary.