
Kopelo Krome
Indeed, what a sigh of relief, for all those affected with the daily routine of traffic jam in the state’s capital, Kohima, when the Regional Transport Authority, in nexus with NGOs, viz – the Naga Students’ Federation, Angami Public Organisation and the Kohima Village Youth Organisation came forth with the idea of an attempt at maintaining a smooth traffic regulation for the week-long exercise.
Well, the exercise was most welcome and appreciated by the public, and I guess, even the VVIPs. But again, in the context of the VIPs, it was learnt that certain officials felt challenged for trying to maintain smooth flow of the ever increasing traffic-jams, by even asking Volunteers whether, he/they know ‘him’ or not, after his random parking was not allowed by the volunteers. Sure enough, it goes to prove that most of our Naga officers are yet to set examples, because of the very very simple fact that they are always eager and more than impatient to prove themselves higher and greater than the next person, who may be much more greater and have the right strings to pull at his whim and fancies. Surprise always happens. It is also a universal fact that the lowly and the poor will also have their fair share of being ‘someone’ sooner or later. So it is always better not to misbehave with one’s current status, but to respect the other person’s rights and privileges, and not to trample upon the others just because ‘you’ are somebody in the government-for now.
Whatsoever, the last week’s exercise in trying to inculcate discipline and concern amongst the drivers to maintain smooth flow of traffic as was witnessed, just disappeared immediately, as if in a dream. Why? Because the next day, it was more or less, back to the usual business of traffic jams all over again. The uniformed and limited personnel manning traffic could be seen and observed as being once again ‘handicapped’, because the Volunteers for the week-long exercise were not around to lend the extra helping hands. Anyway, the appreciated venture by the NGOs, mostly made of the youths from Kohima Village in nexus with the traffic official have gone in the record to show that smooth flow of traffic is not impossible, but for the fact that the drivers/owners who randomly drives around the town/city are the ones responsible for all the jams and related headaches to one and all. If only our town/city has concerned and responsible drivers/owners, surely, traffic jams can be minimised to certain extent. So also, if we can introduce the system of ‘car pool’, it will go a long way in containing the ever increasing traffic jams all along the road/street. Even the state government VVIPs can also contribute by trying to reduce the usage of escorts and armed personnel. I guess everyone is important enough as it is, because, again, the important persons zooming off without any care and concern may one day become the victim of his own indifferent attitude.
On the other hand, while trying to put a check on random parking and driving, it is observed that taxis and mini buses are the least concerned for traffic rules and regulations, and embarrassing the traffic personnel in more ways than one. It is such a pity that traffic police ‘wallas’ gets the brunt and humiliating scolding from the higher authorities for no fault of theirs while in the line of duty, that too, only because of few vehicle drivers/owners.
Anyways, hats off once again to all the volunteers and those responsible who made it happen in the attempt to show that traffic jams can be regulated. It is only a matter of time that the daily traffic can smoothly run, if and only, discipline can be inculcated with the drivers of any vehicles, which also includes the very random parking of two wheelers, taking space of any four wheelers. I, as a concerned individual dare to wish that such kind of exercise is being conducted at regular intervals. Of course, not necessarily week-long, that is, if I am not asking or wishing too much on behalf of the state’s capital’s citizens.