By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 28: Has the state government finally woken up to taking some concrete steps to lessen traffic woes in Shillong?
So it seems, if the State Planning Board’s recommendation to the government to set up multiple flyovers in the city is any indication.
Co-Chairman of the State Planning Board, Ollan Sing Suin, on Friday revealed that the Board has formally recommended the construction of multiple flyovers in Shillong as a long-term solution to the city’s mounting traffic congestion.
Speaking to reporters, Suin said the Board advised the state government on various developmental challenges, and traffic management remains one of the most pressing issues for the capital.
He pointed out that certain stretches—particularly Polo and Anjalee—have become chronic choke points, with traffic snarls now a daily occurrence.
According to the Board’s assessment, constructing flyovers in these locations would significantly ease the bottlenecks and improve vehicular movement.
Suin expressed confidence that the overall traffic scenario in Shillong would improve once the New Shillong Township (NST) becomes fully functional.
He said the upcoming township, designed to decongest the old city, is expected to shift a major portion of administrative offices, institutions, and residential settlements to the new location.
This transition, he noted, would reduce pressure on Shillong’s core areas and help streamline traffic flow.
Suin emphasised that the Planning Board remains committed to supporting the government with strategic recommendations aimed at improving urban infrastructure and addressing emerging challenges.
It may be mentioned that the state government had explored the idea of an underpass from Rilbong till Anjalee as part of the Shillong-Dawki Road project but the project was de-scoped as the government now wants to construct the underpass till Barik.
As the proposed construction would require a good chunk of defence land, the NHIDCL has made it clear they would take up the project only if the state government is able to hand over the defence land after necessary clearance from the Ministry of Defence.
With the city running out of all other options, many believe that flyovers have become a necessity, not a choice.
Shillong sits on a narrow plateau hemmed in by steep hills. Almost every major road has buildings and commercial establishments touching the edge of the roads. Widening these roads even by a metre is impossible in almost 70% of the congested stretches, leaving the only alternative for vertical construction.
The traffic volume has already crossed the point of no return. Conservatives estimates place the number of registered vehicles in East Khasi Hills at around 3.3 lakh in 2025, up from 1.9 lakh in 2018, with an average of 70–80 new vehicles hitting the roads daily.
The Anjalee–Dhankheti–Laitumkhrah, Fire Brigade-Nongthymmai, Mawlai Petrol Pump–Rilbong, 4th Furlong–Demseiniong-Nongmensong and the Rilbong-Upper Shillong stretches experience the bulk of congestion, reports state, adding that flyovers on these stretches would help reduce the traffic congestion by half.
