Shillong, Feb 9: Irked with the daily traffic jam on the Umshyrpi – Upper Shillong road, the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo people (FKJGP), Upper Shillong Circle, on Thursday filed a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Khasi Hills (EKH).

“There have been daily traffic jams on this road since the past one week till date. Vehicles going towards Shillong and those coming from Shillong through this road get stuck in traffic jams for several hours thus causing tremendous hardship to them. We have tried to ascertain the cause of this traffic jam and found that the reason for the same is due to laying of pipeline by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department on the road adjacent to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department’s farm at Sixth Mile, Upper Shillong,” read the complaint letter of the FKJGP.

The letter also stated a suggestion in which the work for laying of pipeline by the PHE Department on this road be carried out at night time when the flow of traffic is less.

Kitborlang Nongphlang, the president of the circle, in his letter to the DC stated that any traffic jam caused on this road leads to massive traffic chaos and as a result thousands of travellers, passengers, office goers, tourists and commuters are affected. People from the rural areas in need of urgent medical treatment in Shillong are the worst affected as this road connects the State headquarters with all areas under Sohra Civil Sub-Division, all areas under Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, all areas under Mawphlang Block, all areas under Sohiong C&RD Block, all areas under Mawsynram C& RD Block, all areas under West Khasi Hills District, all areas South West Khasi Hills District and all areas under Eastern West Khasi Hills District.

The FKJGP leader in his letter expressed concerns on the school students appearing for their Pre-Board examinations. “Most especially those who are appearing for their pre- Board examinations, were compelled to walk on foot in order to reach their various examination centres in Shillong,” he said.

With the traffic snarls, the FKJGP raised a question as who will take the responsibility if these students could not reach their examination centres on time.

Besides the traffic issue, the FKJGP expressed deep concerns on the delay in commencing the work for construction of the four-lane highway from Umshyrpi to Umtyngngar. “Commuters have become scapegoats due to this delay caused by issues of land acquisition,” noted Nongphlang.

The FKJGP further urged upon the DC to direct the concern authorities to expedite the works for felling of trees and shifting of electric poles along this road so that the four-lane highway project could be started in areas where there are no land disputes.