Shillong, Nov 4: Shillong’s battle against traffic gridlock got new firepower on Wednesday, with two multilevel car parks opening in Mawkhar and Motphran, two of the city’s most congested localities.
Built at ₹38.92 crore under the Shillong Smart City Mission, the facilities can hold 200 vehicles.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who inaugurated them in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, said earlier efforts fell short because “while we are creating no-parking zones, we are not creating parking zones.”
The two facilities are the District School Education Office-cum-Multilevel Car Park at Mawkhar and a fully mechanised Multilevel Car Park at Motphran.
Calling traffic “the number one issue in Shillong,” Sangma said it is raised by residents and tourists alike. He said piecemeal steps such as one-way roads or parking bans at single spots could not be a permanent solution without understanding why the problem occurs.
The government spent over a year and a half on a mobility study using drones, satellite images and vehicle counts. “If you want to stop somebody from parking somewhere, you have to give that person the option to park somewhere else,” he said.
That led the government to look for government, community and private land. The lot beside the Additional Secretariat was the first such facility; Mawkhar and Motphran are the second.
Sangma said Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was “surprised and shocked” when shown the Secretariat parking, and told his officers it should be replicated across the country’s hill areas.
Under the state’s Parking Policy, the government will provide up to ₹1 lakh to any individual or community with land to build parking, taking a small share of the parking fees. Ownership and management will stay with the community. “It gives a service and also gives employment to our young generation,” Sangma said.
He said the projects are part of a wider mobility plan. The new Administrative City is coming up quickly, and the Secretariat is expected to shift there by September-November next year, which he said would significantly decongest Shillong.
The Chief Minister also urged the department to ensure adequate manpower, training and standard operating procedures. “Building something is one part. Running and maintaining it is a different part,” he said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also spoke about the festive calendar, which includes the Cherry Blossom Festival, LitFest and a Gospel Concert.
Responding to questions he said he had received on why the government backs Gospel concerts, he pointed to his own constituency, where Chhath Puja has been celebrated for 100 years with government support.
“We are not here to promote any religion. We are here to support our people and be part of their celebrations,” he said. The government, he said, backs the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, the Bihari community’s Chhath Puja and Durga Puja committees equally, which he described as upholding the country’s secular fabric. He added that Gospel songs were performed for tourists at the Meghalaya Pavilion on Sunday.
He also reminded that Meghalaya will host the National Games next year, possibly the biggest event the state has hosted in 54 years. An Indian Olympic Association organising committee is currently in Shillong reviewing preparations.
“This is not just a government’s event, but a Meghalaya State event,” he said, urging citizens to welcome visitors warmly. “Even if you smile and receive our guests with a warm heart, that is your contribution.”
