‘Bypass would put an end to traffic jams in city’
Traffic jams in the city, which had hit an all-time high in the past fortnight, have subsided over the past couple of days, but a more permanent solution is still far away for Shillongites.
It is widely believed that the only true solution to the growing traffic disorder in the city is the speedy construction of the Shillong Bypass which was first conceived decades ago.
The Shillong Bypass will be completed only in January 2014 which means that traffic snarls would continue to haunt the local residents for another two years.
Once the bypass is completed and pressed into service, trucks would no longer enter the city and even the long-distance night super buses would bypass the city providing relief to the traffic management in the city.
Trucks are believed to be the main cause of traffic congestion on the city roads and the much awaited bypass would enable the trucks to go to Jaintia Hills without having to pass through Shillong.
An NHAI official, while speaking to The Shillong Times, informed that the bypass project is targeted to be completed only in January 2014.
“However if people support us than we can surely complete the project before the deadline,” the NHAI official said.
It is learnt that most of the land acquisition for the project is over; however there are demarcation problems in two-three stretches in Ri Bhoi from where the Shillong Bypass starts.
The Bypass which has been lingering for more than 20 years is finally progressing at a quick pace in different parts of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, the NHAI officials said.
