In a bold move to tackle Shillong’s notorious traffic bottlenecks, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma unveiled the Meghalaya’s inaugural automated multi-level parking facility on Friday. Located on Vivekananda Road by the Additional Secretariat, this modern infrastructure is the cornerstone of an ambitious multi-pronged plan to decongest the capital.
Sangma didn’t mince words: traffic congestion stands as one of the city’s gravest challenges, fueled largely by chaotic parking practices and insufficient dedicated spots. ‘Roadside haphazard parking severely hampers traffic movement and causes undue hardship to passengers,’ he remarked during the event.
Looking ahead, the government has zeroed in on nine more locations for similar parking structures, set to accommodate approximately 1,300 vehicles citywide. A new parking policy opens doors for private landowners to collaborate with authorities, developing sites and earning from operations—a win-win for urban development.
Beyond parking, Sangma outlined concurrent initiatives like creating specialized lots for public transport at Khyndailad, shifting hawkers off congested thoroughfares, widening key roads such as Umshiripi-Seventh Mile, and advancing plans for an elevated roadway linking Rhino Museum Point through Civil Hospital to Barik.
This holistic approach promises transformative relief, fostering a smoother, more efficient transportation ecosystem in Shillong as the state invests in sustainable infrastructure.