SHILLONG, Jan 19: The much-anticipated four-lane road extension from Umiam to Shillong is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in and around the city, provided the project proceeds as planned.
Deputy Chief Minister and PWD (Roads) Minister, Prestone Tynsong, recently announced that a meeting will soon be held to finalise the alignment of this crucial infrastructure project, which aims to benefit Shillong residents and daily commuters.
Government sources revealed that the project is still in its early stages, with multiple alignment options under consideration. The final decision will be made after detailed discussions among stakeholders.
While specifics regarding the road’s terminus in Shillong remain uncertain, one option being explored is extending it to Rilbong.
Another proposal under discussion involves splitting the alignment between Shillong and the New Shillong Township to better distribute traffic.
Tynsong also stated that a team of consultants and PWD officials would meet soon to finalise the alignment, ensuring smooth progress.
It may be mentioned that the central government’s support for the proposed extension has provided a significant boost to the project, highlighting its importance in addressing Shillong’s increasing traffic congestion.
Currently, travel time from Umiam to Jorabat ranges from 1 to 1.5 hours under normal conditions. However, severe congestion is frequently observed from Mawlai to Shillong and at Khanapara in Guwahati, where daily traffic jams are a major concern.
The proposed four-lane road aims to alleviate these bottlenecks, improving connectivity and reducing travel times.
With alignment discussions expected to conclude soon, the project could mark a major step toward solving Shillong’s traffic woes while contributing to the state’s infrastructural development.
