Committed to balancing development with environmental sustainability: Dhar

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.

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Canadian teenager Mboko reaches semifinals in Montreal and will face Rybakina

Montreal, Aug 5: Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko advanced to...

England panicked, they just needed one partnership: Vaughan

London, Aug 5: Former captain Michael Vaughan feels England...

Frequent disasters expose climate risks to infrastructure in South Asia

Kathmandu, Aug 5: Floods that damaged hydropower dams in...

Japan’s aging atomic bomb survivors speak out against nuclear weapons

Hiroshima, Aug 5: Eighty years after the atomic bombing...

SC lists CMJ’s review petition for hearing

Shillong, Aug 5: The Supreme Court of India has...

NPP doesn’t poach, it inspires: Rakkam

Shillong, Aug 5: The National People’s Party (NPP), boosted...

Road mishaps: Govt directs NHIDCL to install proper signage

Shillong, Aug 4: The state government has directed the...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories