Gangtok, 07 Jun (IPR): A close co-ordination meeting regarding the traffic situation in the State was chaired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri P.S. Tamang (Golay) and was attended by UDHD Minister, Shri Arun Upreti, RMDD Minister, Shri Sonam Lama, Chief Secretary, Shri A.K. Shrivastava, ACS, Shri S.C. Gupta, Director General of Police, Shri S.D. Negi, Special DGP, Shri A. Sudhakar Rao, DIG (Range), Shri D.B. Giri, RMDD Secretary, Shri C.S. Rao, UDHD Secretary, Smt Ganga Pradhan, SP (Traffic), Shri Tshering Namgyal Gyatso, Chief Engineer (RMDD), Shri L.D. Lamtha, and others.

After numerous deliberations, the CM stated that the State government has to come up with alternative measures since land is limited and solution has to be procured with what is available at hand. He directed Roads and Bridges Department that the road from Shyari to Ranipool should be opened for light vehicle at the earliest.

Another road alternative that the State government should work upon is the Ranipool/Ray Khola/Sichey alternative road which should be considered for de-congestion of the National highway, he added.

The CM said that the problem of traffic congestion is not just a problem of the State government but it is the problem of the whole people of the State. He directed that all roads whose work had started or was under progress should be completed at the earliest.

He also directed that a meeting with proper Power Point Presentation with GREF, Sikkim Police, NHIDCL should be convened at the earliest so that feasible roadmap should be brought forward for easing the traffic problem in the capital.

Framing of policies like time limit for completion of work, relaxation period and penalty in case of non-completion should also be put in the Agreement, the CM added. Plying of more Government run buses for the employees could also be one of the solutions, he stated.

Minister, UDHD, Shri Arun Upreti, suggested that a Committee should be formed which should check the work of contractors who have been assigned crucial projects. He also put forth his suggestion for restoring the route from Lal Bazaar area to Nam Nang so that it could ease the highway load.

Chief Secretary, Shri A.K. Shrivastava, stated that the meeting today was for a thoughtful analysis of the traffic situation which has impacted all the people of State in their daily lives. He said that the population of the State has taken a quantum jump but the land holding had remained the same. This could be because of migration of people from rural to urban areas and also because of surge of educational institutions in the State, he added.

The CS stated that diversion of traffic movement from the main highway was necessary and he suggested various alternatives such as rope-way, efficient city buses, walking to office/school once a week, ban on private car during certain hours and ban on site allocation along the highway.

Additional CS, Shri S.C. Gupta, said that good public transport system for students should be created which would aim at mass transport alternative. Battery operated mode of transport in the long run would also help with car pooling as the best short term alternative for the government employees.

Director General of Police, Shri S.D. Negi, also gave his valuable inputs about the various components like land use and the engineering aspect of road which contribute to traffic congestion. He suggested a tie-up with all the required departments so that result oriented implications could be ascertained.

Special DGP, Shri Sudhakar Rao, suggested the State government to tackle the problem on short term, mid term and long term basis. For short term result, he suggested car pool for officers, flyovers at various points, pedestrian walking and bus stoppages at correct places.

Secretary, Transport, Shri S.D. Dhakal, also gave his valuable suggestions. He suggested that L.P.G gas distribution should be done only during the weekends so that truck congestion could be restricted. He also proposed that the road from Arithang to DPH be reconstructed along with mid-term solution like private parking in available areas.

Secretary, UDHD, Smt Ganga Pradhan, elucidated that there are in total 54 roads in and around Gangtok. Immediate solution she pointed out to ease the traffic situation in the capital was pedestrianisation and improvement of walkways for the general people and link roads such as from Paljor Stadium Road to Bye Pass area/Daragaon to Jor Dhara/NH31 to Gairi Gaon, etc.

She also suggested for introduction of travel pass in Gangtok Rope-way for employees from Deorali to Secretariat with fixed timing and increase in cable frequency to accommodate all during the peak hours.

Smt Pradhan also suggested for cable car as mass transport alternative from Ranipool to Burtuk with numerous stations which would be beneficial to the commuters. She also informed that numerous car parks with multi level car parking facility proposals are already in the pipeline.

Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Shri Tshering Namgyal Gyatso, gave an in-depth account of the traffic situation in the capital and placed few points where immediate action needs to be taken. He suggested that the tourist permit office be shifted back to the old venue in M.G. Marg since it has added to more traffic woes at Zero Point.

He also said that few approach areas like the bend at Old Sadar Thana, entry point of Syari from the highway and entry point of Convoy Ground road to ICAR all need to be expanded so that there is smooth vehicular flow without obstructing the traffic.

Shri Gyatso also suggested for upgradation of Bye-pass road leading to the new STNM hospital since there is heavy flow of traffic now. Similarly, he placed his suggestions for alternative road from Tadong College to Manipal and a review of the drainage system of the State.

The CM gave a patient hearing to all the suggestions of the august gathering and said that the meeting was a step forward at the right time in the right direction. He called for collective co-operation in handling the traffic situation and hoped for result oriented solutions at the earliest from all the concerned departments.