By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 4: On-street parking will be chargeable on an hourly basis in select localities of Shillong from August 1, the state government said in a notification designating specific areas across Shillong as on-street parking and no-parking zones.
Aimed at decongesting the city and regulating parking demand, the move follows the recent notification of the Meghalaya Parking Policy for Urban Areas, 2025, by the Urban Affairs department. The policy provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable parking management in urban spaces.
Zones under various traffic branches including Sadar, Laban, Laitumkhrah, Rynjah, Madanrting, Mawlai and Lumdiengjri will see implementation of the new system.
According to the June 26 notification issued by Commissioner and Secretary in-charge Urban Affairs, Vijay Kumar, parking rates have been fixed at Rs 20 for two-wheelers and Rs 40 for four-wheelers per hour in high-demand commercial areas. In low-demand or non-commercial areas, the fees are Rs 15 for two-wheelers and Rs 30 for four-wheelers.
Seven zonal task forces headed by Additional District Magistrates have been constituted to oversee parking management. In consultation with the PWD and local dorbar shnongs, these task forces have identified suitable on-street parking locations.
The department will use the time until August 1 to fine-tune revenue-sharing mechanisms and streamline fee collection processes. It has warned that any unauthorised fee collection or deviation from notified rates will invite penalties under applicable laws.
Parking rates and zone classifications will be revised periodically based on assessments. Discussions are also under way with GiZ, a global development agency, to integrate technology-based fee collection systems.