SHILLONG, May 12: The state government on Thursday told the High Court of Meghalaya that more than 70% of households in Shillong own at least one vehicle and there is traffic congestion due to the high number of vehicles on hilly terrain.
The court on Thursday heard a PIL on the city’s traffic issues and hoped the state would consider the suggestions provided by the parties that appeared.
One of the measures attempted to be put in place was to ensure more school buses, particularly for the schools concentrated in the Laitumkhrah area. But the response received in this regard was of a low level.
“…It may do well for a responsible official from the state to meet parents and the school authorities and persuade parents to avail of the bus upon allaying their apprehensions as to security and delay. These visits have to be to each school. The state should also explore whether staggering the inflow and outflow of students in each school and staggering the timings of schools located in close proximity may ease the congestion in the locality,” a division bench said in its order.
According to the court, the ultimate relief in easing the traffic situation in Shillong proper may come only if alternative systems are put in place.
The advocate-general reported that there is an expert recommendation for the construction of ropeways for regular commuting instead of being restricted for tourism.
The district councils assured all cooperation and said they will act in conjunction with the state for a collective response to be presented in court.
The advocate-general reported that the construction of the western bypass and other proposed roads are going on. Some of these can actually be seen on the ground.
The state also attributed the traffic congestion in Shillong to the hilly terrain and the ownership of at least one vehicle by more than 70% of the households in the city.
The court said there are several experts available in the field and the state government should endeavour to explore all avenues to ease the current traffic problem in Shillong.
“Though the matter has been pending for a considerable period of time and new ideas are bandied each time, there have to be long-term and short-term plans on a more detailed basis than what has been presented thus far. Funds may be a problem, but there are national and international agencies that may be tapped and some kind of private-public partnership may also be explored for the purpose,” the court said.
