SHILLONG:
The government, on August 17, informed the Meghalaya High Court that it has obtained 82 per cent of parental consent for ferrying students to their schools in buses.
The order, which was passed by the court while hearing a PIL filed by one Philip Khrawbok Shati, also informed that the state also informed the court that some 53 old and disused buses have been disposed of and a substantial amount has been generated for investment in better traffic management. The exercise is continuing to identify other buses which are in an advanced state of disrepair to dispose of the same, if they are not viable to be repaired.
This was after the petitioner suggested that greater efforts should be made by the authorities to dissuade private cars ferrying one student each to come to the schools on a regular basis.
Earlier, the state had proposed to acquire 50 to 60 buses for such purpose.
The order also said that
The State further informed that a proposal has been submitted to the World Bank for financing the acquisition of electric buses that will ensure the better flow of traffic and less pollution.
The order said several suggestions have been made, including the petitioner, for the construction or widening or repair of certain existing roads or the extension thereof that would ensure that traffic from Jowai to Guwahati does not have to enter Shillong proper or traffic from the other areas of Jaintia Hills, whether travelling to Assam in the north or elsewhere in the south and east do not need to go through this city.
Apart from the Western bypass that needs to be completed on an urgent basis, certain suggestions have been made to connect certain other stretches on the outskirts of Shillong so that traffic in Shillong proper is eased.
The specific suggestions in such regard, where existing roads may be widened, expanded or extended, may be submitted when the matter appears next, a week hence.
Of the two approaches to the Air Force Station housing the Shillong Peak, the road from Upper Shillong has been recently repaired and extended; but the road on the Laitkor side remains virtually unmotorable.
If the road on the Laitkor side is repaired, it can act as a diversion for traffic from the Jaintia Hills side not intending to stop in Shillong, it said.
Meanwhile, the court has also asked the state to take necessary action on illegal and unlicensed shops outside the Air Force Station.
It said it is alarming to note the growth of obviously illegal and unlicensed shops just outside the Air Force Station on the approach from the Upper Shillong side.
“There are rules as to construction in and around Defence installations and it is plain to see that the makeshift shops that have sprung up recently in the region are too close to the Defence installation.
It is hoped that the State takes necessary action in such regard,” the court said.
The next hearing will be held on August 29.