Letters to the Editor: E-Rickshaw Issues at GU

E-Rickshaw issues at GU

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw attention to the ongoing issues concerning e-rickshaw services within the Gauhati University campus. While these vehicles play a vital role in ensuring convenient transportation for students, staff, and visitors, several challenges have emerged that require immediate attention.

Firstly, the unregulated operation of e-rickshaws has led to traffic congestion during peak hours. Many drivers operate without proper guidelines, often overloading passengers or driving recklessly, jeopardizing the safety of commuters. Additionally, insufficient designated parking spaces have resulted in haphazard parking, further exacerbating the problem.

Secondly, the lack of fixed fares has caused inconvenience to passengers, with many reporting instances of overcharging. This not only impacts students and staff financially but also raises questions about the transparency of the service.

To address these issues, I urge the university authorities and local administration to take the following measures:

1. Implement clear operational guidelines and safety regulations for e-rickshaw drivers.

2. Establish fixed fare structures to prevent overcharging.

3. Designate specific parking zones to streamline traffic flow within the campus.

4. Conduct regular awareness campaigns for drivers to promote responsible driving practices.

I believe these steps will significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of the e-rickshaw services, benefiting the university community as a whole.

Thank you for providing me with a platform to voice this concern. I hope the concerned authorities will take prompt action.

Munmee Roy

Gauhati University

Drug use: Let this not happen

The news item, 'Drug use worsens state HIV scenario,' published in your esteemed daily on December 1, has drawn our attention. The news has held great significance in view of World AIDS Day, observed on December 1 every year. Assam has witnessed a three-fold rise in the HIV-positive cases, mostly from injecting drug users (IDUs). In 2020-21, 6 percent of IDUs were among the fresh HIV cases. But this percentage has risen to 43.7 percent in 2022-23. Of this, a majority of cases are linked to needle sharing among the drug users. Needle-sharing is not just a medical issue. The present situation has come to such a pass in different parts of the state, including Dhubri district, that the joint director of Health has to issue a red alert regarding the widespread prevalence of HIV cases in the district. The NE states of Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, including Assam, are the worst affected in HIV cases. The disquieting concern is that the maximum of new cases of IDU-related are students and young women. The easy availability of drugs has attributed to this increase significantly. The official survey has stated that there are around five lakh teenage drug users in the state. While the world is observing a day of hope for a future where HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat to human health and well-being, all stakeholders, especially the parents, should now come down to their level so that life becomes simpler for these young ones, as peer influence is at its maximum during this adolescent period. Unless we are vigilant to this menace and supportive and of the belief that every life is valuable, the number of HIV-positive cases, particularly IDUs, will continue to rise sky-high in the state. What is urgently needed is an environment of community-based awareness programs, workshops, and targeted war on drugs campaigns to educate young people about the negative impact of drug use and drug abuse and the outcome of their risky behaviours in public life.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

The silent invasion of Assam

The issue of illegal immigrants entering Assam from neighbouring countries has been a longstanding concern that demands immediate attention. The unabated influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, in particular, has been altering the demographic complexion of the state, posing a grave threat to the identity of the Assamese people and national security. The historical context of this issue is crucial. The British annexation of Assam led to large-scale population movement from Bengal, which continued even after Independence. The Assam Accord defined illegal migrants as those who infiltrated after December 24, 1971, but the lack of a census and precise figures has made it challenging to determine the exact number of illegal migrants.

Estimates suggest that there are around 4 million illegal migrants residing in Assam, with the total number across India being approximately 10 million. The contributory factors to this issue are complex, including economic reasons, ethnic and linguistic commonalities, and corruption. It is imperative that the government takes effective measures to address this issue. This includes strengthening border security, implementing a robust detection and deportation system, and promoting economic development in the region to reduce the incentive for illegal migration.

Jugasmita Das

Gauhati University

Guwahati’s environmental crisis

Rapid growth of buildings and constructions in Guwahati has become a pressing concern, leading to a tragedy that is going to happen in the future. The presence of industries in and around Guwahati can lead to the release of various pollutants into the air. In the last year, between February 1 and 8, AQI was mostly poor, which changed to moderate in February this year, i.e., 2024. Also, constructing flyovers in places where it's not needed should be stopped as well. Because of these reasons and various other reasons, last year, i.e., 2023, Guwahati turned out to be the second most polluted city in the world. If we fail to take immediate action, the consequences will be severe. Rising temperatures, widespread loss of trees, poor air quality, and homeless birds will become the norm, and a tragedy for those animals who live on grass. This is going to be a debt of ours, and we will be unable to repay this debt in the future. Therefore, we urge the government to take necessary steps to regulate and stop unnecessary constructions. It’s essential that we prioritize the well-being of our environment and the citizens of Guwahati. As responsible citizens, it’s our duty to raise awareness about the critical issue. We must demand that our leaders take concrete actions to protect our city’s ecosystem. Therefore, we can make a difference. Let’s join forces to save Guwahati’s environment for future generations.

Jannat Afiya

(jannatafiya102@gmail.com)