Meghalaya CM Unveils State's First Automated Multilevel Car Park in Shillong
In a significant move to address urban congestion, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma officially inaugurated the state's first automated multilevel car park on Vivekananda Road in Shillong this Friday. This landmark facility represents a crucial step in the government's broader strategy to combat the escalating traffic challenges that have long plagued the capital city.
Addressing Shillong's Traffic Crisis
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Sangma candidly acknowledged that traffic congestion and management constitute one of the most pressing issues facing Shillong. He emphasized that the problem has intensified over the years, driven by a steady and relentless increase in the number of vehicles on the city's roads.
The government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to gradually decongest Shillong, with the newly opened automated car park being just one component of this extensive and forward-looking plan. Sangma stressed that providing designated parking spaces is essential, as random and haphazard parking by motorists significantly contributes to traffic bottlenecks and disrupts the smooth flow of vehicles.
Expanding Parking Infrastructure and Policy Innovations
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister revealed ambitious plans for the future of Shillong's parking infrastructure. Nine additional multilevel car parks are currently in the pipeline, and once completed, this network of facilities is projected to collectively accommodate approximately 1,300 vehicles, offering substantial relief to the city's strained parking capacity.
In a bid to encourage private participation and accelerate development, the state government has introduced a novel parking policy. This policy enables landowners to collaborate with the government in developing parking facilities on their properties. As an incentive, these landowners will be permitted to collect revenue from the parking spaces, creating a sustainable and mutually beneficial model for infrastructure expansion.
Comprehensive Traffic Easing Initiatives
Beyond parking solutions, CM Sangma outlined a series of other strategic initiatives designed to alleviate traffic pressure across Shillong:
- Establishing dedicated parking zones for buses and taxis at key locations such as Kyndailad and Police Bazar.
- Relocating hawkers and street vendors from busy and congested roads to more organized spaces.
- Expanding and improving the Umshyrpi–Seventh Mile road stretch to enhance connectivity and capacity.
- Constructing either an elevated road or a four-lane road from Rhino Museum Point to Civil Hospital and Barik, aimed at streamlining traffic flow in high-density areas.
- Eventually shifting administrative offices to the new administrative city, which will help decentralize activity and reduce congestion in the city center.
All these proposals are at an advanced stage of planning and implementation, Sangma assured. He highlighted that these measures are being meticulously coordinated to ensure not only immediate traffic relief but also to create a robust and efficient transportation framework that will serve Shillong's needs for the next several decades.
The inauguration of the automated multilevel car park marks a pivotal moment in Meghalaya's urban development journey, signaling a proactive and comprehensive approach to tackling the complex challenges of modern city management and sustainable growth.
