SHILLONG, AUG 28: Urban Affairs minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday said that the state government is committed to balancing development with environmental sustainability.
Dhar was replying to a notice on traffic congestion in Shillong city on the floor of the state assembly on Wednesday.
“The state government has conducted a study which revealed that narrow roads, on-street parking, and increasing numbers of private vehicles—contribute to traffic congestion in Shillong,” Dhar said.
The Minister said the study was conducted to identify weaknesses in addressing traffic congestion in Shillong and revealed that the government has diagnosed where the lacunae lie in tackling traffic congestion in Shillong.
“These studies include the blueprint to decongest Shillong designed by the Home department in consultation with IIM Shillong, and the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2024 by Urban Affairs department,” Dhar also said.
“These studies reveal the following gaps in tackling traffic congestion. Limited road width: 80% of roads are less than 7.5m. Limited road capacity: On-street parking reduces road capacity by 30-40%. Increasing number of private vehicles: High vehicular growth rate at 17.5%,” the Minister said.
He added that the decisions to proceed with road widening and the creation of new parking spaces at Ward’s Lake and Phan Nonglait Park were taken after careful consideration of the growing needs of urban infrastructure to alleviate traffic congestion and improve accessibility for residents and visitors. The goal is to enhance public utility while safeguarding our natural heritage.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that the redevelopment of Ward’s Lake project is still in the DPR stage adding that the redevelopment of Phan Nonglait Park project is currently in the concept and design stage.
“Efforts will be made to minimize tree cutting. This follows the successful example of the Urban Affairs department, which created a new parking lot opposite NEIGRIHMS without cutting a single tree,” he said while adding that alleviating traffic congestion is a multi-pronged strategy also involving redeveloping existing urban spaces.
