Shillong, September 23: As part of the preparation for the celebration of 150 years of Tura Town, that will begin on the 1th January 2017, the Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi convened a meeting on 22nd September, 2016 with Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Board and also called for another meeting with the stakeholders of all transport association of the district in order to sensitize the stakeholders about the decision taken by RTA. The meeting was organized as per the instructions of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr Mukul M Sangma.
One of the important discussions during the meeting is about the traffic regulation in and around the town area besides specification of lay bys and parking place among others. The Deputy Commissioner has clearly stated in the meeting that there is a difference between lay byes and parking space and that lay byes is entirely meant to embark and disembark the passengers and not to be used as a parking space for vehicles.
According to the agenda of converting 251 auto-rickshaws to Tura region, the decision could not come to conclusion due to non availability of parking place in the town areas. Therefore, the Deputy Commissioner has suggested all the stakeholders and organizations looking after the management of these associations to plan out the area of operation and also to identify parking places for these auto-rickshaws.
In view of regular accident cases in some parts of the district, the Deputy Commissioner has directed the Transport Authority to regulate speeding and over speeding of vehicles in and round the town as well the areas extending from Araimile towards Garobhada road and stretch towards Asanang, Jengjal and Dollongre areas and also to continue with the regular checking of vehicles, etc in the town areas as well. He further advised the general public to follow the rules and provisions provided by the Motor Vehicle Act of India in which the normal speed is 40 kilometers in town areas and 50-60 kilometers along the National highway. He also mentioned that reckless parking of vehicles on both sides of the road and random parking of commercial trucks are few cases to be dealt with seriously. With regard to the overloading of night buses, he cautioned that passenger bus should not be used to ferry goods which should be treated seriously.
It was also discussed in the meeting that the plot of land at Civil Hospital, Tura, belonging to Superintendent, Tura Civil hospital, at Chandmary belonging to Achik Baptist Dalgipa Krima (ABDK) and Main Bazar belonging to District Medical and Health Officer has been under process in order to construct Lay Bys in those respective areas.
During the meeting, the incharge of Traffic Police, West Garo Hills has informed that due to traffic congestion during school hours the stretch of road leading to St Mary’s School, Araimile, West Garo hills has been declared as One Way from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the morning and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the evening where the entry will be from Araimile junction and then exit from ITI junction. The stretch of road around Hawakhana junction which is being jammed heavily everyday is yet to decide the entry and exit points in order to ease traffic congestion in that area, he added.
Pointing out the civic responsibilities and duties of every citizen in the district, the Deputy Commissioner appealed to one and all to cooperate and follow the rules and regulations as per the provisions of the Act and also to create awareness among others.
