Shillong, June 17: East Khasi Hills (EKH) District Administration is mulling to allow 20 percent of public transportation to resume services in the district as the COVID-19 situation in the district shows promising signs of improving. To explore the feasibility of this along with maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour, District Deputy Commissioner (DC), Isawanda Laloo on Thursday held a meeting with the commercial vehicle associations to discuss ways to allow public transport vehicles back on the road.

The meeting was attended by members from different local taxi, auto rickshaw and bus associations to discuss ways and means to regulate commercial vehicle traffic, seating capacity, pricing etc, in preparation before any final order is given.

It was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner in-charge Transport, District Medical & Health Officer, District Transport Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic).

The Deputy Commissioner apprised the associations that even if vehicles are permitted, there is need to continue regulation by allowing only certain percentage of the commercial vehicles to ply either by using numbering arrangement or the odd-even formulas to which the associations were in agreement.

Further, the meeting also discussed at length the importance of vaccination for drivers who are dealing and interacting of many members of the public on a daily basis, and for the need to safeguard their health and that of their families.

Clarifications on this matter were also imparted by the District Medical and Health Officer and his team and an interactive session was held to address the concerns regarding vaccination.