PM’s visit a traffic nightmare for Shillong

Newmai News Network Shillong | December 15   No entry signs, blaring horns, rattling vehicles stuck in first gear, kilometre long snail-paced traffic, irritated drivers, police officials and constables blowing off steam was the scene on a chaotic Friday in Shillong as the city gears up for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   As the fallout of any high profile visit, the streets of Shillong this time round too was lost in the new traffic arrangement as the public had to take detours amid the narrow choked streets to get to their destinations.   On the eve of PM’s visit to Shillong, the district administration is undergoing a sanitization exercise on all the main thoroughfares of the city. Meanwhile, the outcome of the security check has led to city streets being clogged from all sides as vehicles are diverted from their main routes, only to be stuck in another junction.   The scene near the Food Corporation of India or (FCI) Mawlai was worse as it was made one way for vehicles coming from Polo while those coming from Mawlai Mawdatbaki were diverted towards Mawroh only to head towards NEHU or turn back from Mawroh junction.   Confusion prevailed and angry commuters started questioning the police personnel for making it a no-entry on both fronts for those heading towards Polo or Golf Links. As tempers flared and people grew restless, the police had to undo the No Entry at the Mawroh junction.   Similar sights were witnessed elsewhere in the city as well. For a few like Moushumi Chakrabarty, a drive to her office was delayed by over an hour, while for others like B Kharmalki, it was simply terrible.   “This is absurd. It is not a joke to be stuck in traffic for two hours. We have work too, we are busy people too. What is the meaning of halting traffic on the eve of the PM’s visit? If they want to arrange everything, do it at night when the roads are free and hassle free,” said an annoyed local businessman, Ksanborlang Pathaw.   Pointing at the black topping of the Shillong-Jowai highway being carried out simultaneously a day when the entire city is caught up in traffic nightmare, Chakrabarty said, “Why can’t they do the black topping at night as in other cities when traffic is minimal?”   However, some were supportive of the district administration’s initiative. “It’s all a part of security measures which has to be taken. The police are doing their job. In fact, we should support the district administration and the police,” said a government employee who requested anonymity.