MSPB to soon submit comprehensive recommendations for resolving traffic congestion in Shillong: Lyngdoh

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 23, 2024

Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday said the board has decided to soon submit comprehensive recommendations to the state government for addressing the traffic congestion in Shillong city. 

Addressing media persons, Lyngdoh said, “After meeting with all line departments, we will prepare and submit comprehensive recommendations to the state government for taking necessary action to address the problem of traffic congestion in the Shillong city.” 

He informed in today’s meeting, detailed representations was given by four departments – urban, PWD, transport and home police – highlightng the different hurdles and issues faced by them along with suggestions. 

According to him, the board will continue to meet the different line departments in the days to come and the second round of meeting is likely to be held within a week or so.

“The role of the board is to basically recommend and suggest to the government about the steps that the government should take in order to find out the solutions to all line departments. We have started with these four departments. We have not come to any conclusion as far as today’s meeting is concerned but we have sit and we will be hearing more from other line departments and we will suggest and after we prepare a comprehensive recommendations,” Lyngdoh said.

On the other hand, the MSPB chairman said that the board has recommended an immediate solution to address the traffic congestion by appointing more traffic personnel 

“(During the meeting) the police department has pointed out the problem of lack of manpower. They have only 150 assigned constables for 7 police stations.That is the immediate solution (needed). we will recommend to the government to place before the home department more constables to be available on the ground,” he said. He added, “As of now they have only 100 and there are almost 400 homeguards. We cannot expect too much from the homeguards. The home department assured to address this immediately to regulate those who are violating the traffic rules.” 

Asked, he said, “Shillong is an unplanned city, no doubt about it that is why 2018 I had suggested the chief minister that government should move out of Shillong and make a planned new city and government has done it and they are moving in that direction but how do we do as far as old Shillong is concerned that is where we try to do the best.”

He further informed that the board will have expert members looking into the action plans to be suggested during a meeting, where the PWD department will be giving a detailed representation on the proposed road projects to be taken up to address the traffic congestion in the Shillong city. 

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “You are talking about the congestion during school hours morning and evening. During that time you find so many cars on the road. So urban department has started that STEM scheme where we could see a bit of numbers of vehicles plying during that period has come down. However, instead of 12-13 cars, only one bus can commute.”