Shillong ISBT limbo hits businesses at terminal

SHILLONG, Feb 16: The restrictions on heavy vehicles from using the renovated Umiam dam has not only caused significant difficulties for passengers and truckers but has also affected the livelihoods of those operating stalls at ISBT Shillong.
The restrictions, enforced since August last year, have left the ISBT — built at a staggering cost of Rs 48 crore — largely idle, as night super buses are no longer permitted to cross the dam. Apart from inconveniencing passengers, who now have to travel to Umiam to board their buses, the restrictions have also posed serious livelihood challenges for shop owners at ISBT. A former stall owner at ISBT shared their plight, stating that shops have remained closed since the terminal became non-functional. “It is simple — buses and passengers are no longer coming to ISBT, so our shops have shut down,” a shopkeeper explained. It is learned that a group of affected shopkeepers is preparing to petition the government, requesting either relocation or financial assistance. “At the very least, we hope to recover the investments we made in our shops,” another shopkeeper added. While they appreciate that the government has not been charging them rent since the ISBT became non-operational, shopkeepers previously paid an average monthly rent of rupees 10,000 to the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) for their stalls. Nearly six months after the restrictions were imposed, the Meghalaya Government’s promise of finding an alternative route for heavy vehicles to enter Shillong remains unfulfilled. The restrictions have also led to a 40% increase in transportation costs from Guwahati to Shillong. Previously, trucks carrying goods could proceed directly to Shillong from Umiam. Now, due to the restrictions, they must take a detour of 80-90 km via Mawryngkneng before reaching Shillong.