Shillong, March 28: ‘Eyes in the Sky Drone Control Room’ was set up in East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills, to monitor vehicular movements especially during peak traffic hours.
This is one of the technological initiatives of the police to address traffic congestion in the city.
Replying to a call attention notice by Mylliem MLA Ronnie Lyngdoh (Cong) in the Assembly on traffic congestion in Upper Shillong, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said in order to tackle the issue of traffic violations in the city and the state, the state police transitioned from complete dependence on human workforce to technological interventions.
Besides Eyes in the Sky Drone Control Room, the technological knowhow that the department has implemented is the e-Challan Digital Traffic Solution, which facilitates online compounding of traffic violations.
Regarding the concern expressed on traffic snarl in Upper Shillong, Tynsong said the traffic congestion along this stretch has been severely aggravated by the road widening work. However, the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) is doing an incredible job ensuring smooth movement of vehicles and shorter duration of traffic snarls.
He said the regulation and management of traffic from MES Point (Rilbong) till the 7th Mile Upper Shillong, falls under the jurisdiction of Lumdiengjri traffic branch. The Traffic Branch has an actual strength of 1 Inspector, 5 Sub-Inspectors, 5 Head Constables and 38 Constables.
These officials of the traffic branch are deployed at MES Point (Rilbong), 3rd Mile Upper Shillong junction and 7th Mile Upper Shillong junction, and they perform duty from 7 am till 9 pm , which is often extended depending on the traffic situation.
The deputy chief minister said in addition to the regulation and management of traffic in the 3 crucial points, officials of the Lumdiengjri traffic branch also look after the management and regulation of traffic, in other important junctions and stretches within its jurisdiction, and as the daily density of vehicle particularly within Lumdiengjri jurisdiction is very high, the assistance of the flying squad is also being utilised to clear traffic congestion and to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
