Move to relocate petrol pump for easing traffic

SHILLONG, Aug 4: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also in-charge of PWD (Roads), on Friday said there is no harm in giving a small plot of government land to the owner of Anjalee Petrol Pump, Shillong if its relocation can resolve traffic woes to a great extent.
Talking to media persons about the state government’s plans to allot a plot of land from the farm of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department in Upper Shillong to Anjalee Petrol Pump in exchange for the land that the government is acquiring at Anjalee Point, Tynsong underscored the agonies of commuters on the stretch from Upper Shillong to Civil Hospital area.
He said it takes two to three hours to cover the stretch.
“We have made a judicious decision. We requested the petrol pump owner to shift because the landing of the flyover will be at that location and if we don’t get the portion of the petrol pump out of the way, it will pose difficulties for aligning and constructing the flyover,” Tynsong explained.
He said the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department’s land measures around 60 acres while the petrol pump at Upper Shillong will require only 12,000-13,000 square feet of land.
Disagreeing to the notion that government land cannot be given to private entities, he said even government takes land from private parties.
He added that if relocating the petrol pump from its current location can significantly alleviate traffic issues, there is no harm in making such a move.