SHILLONG, Sep 27: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday directed the state government to ensure that road network expansion and creation of city bypass roads is taken up on urgent basis to ease the growing traffic congestion in the capital city.
Hearing a PIL filed by Philip Khrawbok Shati on the traffic situation, the court observed that though the traffic situation in Shillong city does not appear to have improved at all over the last several months, the state says that a blueprint to decongest Shillong has been prepared by its Home department in consultation with various other departments and based on a report submitted in January, 2021, by Dalberg Global Development Advisors, which is an internationally renowned traffic management consultant.
The Advocate General, on behalf of the state government, submitted that the detailed blueprint has been forwarded to the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong for its opinion, advice and suggestions. A copy of the blueprint was submitted before the court.
The blueprint is broadly based on four binding principles and components dealing with augmentation of the network capacity, increasing the supply of public transport, demand management and reducing the need for travelling. Several finer aspects have also been detailed, beginning with the removal of road and footpath encroachment to introduction of bus corridors and setting up alternative modes of transport like a ropeway. A traffic management centre is planned along with road network expansion and creation of city bypass roads.
The court observed that since a detailed plan of action has been prepared, though the funds necessary to undertake the project have not been indicated, it is hoped that some action will be taken after the response is received from IIM, Shillong.
“At any rate, whether or not they are a part of a larger blueprint or plan or a wish-list, road network expansion and creation of city bypass roads must be taken up on urgent basis as such exercises will take considerable time,” the court said.
The court hoped that IIM, Shillong will make an appropriate assessment and suggests immediate and long-term measures that the State should take to ease the traffic situation in Shillong.
“Let the matter appear a fortnight after the vacation, particularly to ascertain the response of IIM, Shillong to the blueprint that has been prepared. List on October 28, 2022,” the court added.
