By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 8: The absence of an efficient public transportation system is one of the key drivers of Shillong’s worsening traffic congestion, Meghalaya TMC president and Nongthymmai legislator Charles Pyngrope said on Sunday, making it clear that the city’s traffic crisis cannot be solved through quick fixes and requires a carefully planned long-term strategy.
Pyngrope said the growing congestion in the state capital reflects a broader structural problem that demands coordinated thinking from all stakeholders.
“Every stakeholder is seized of this particular dilemma which we are facing now. Suggestions have been given by the honourable members and I’m sure they will be considered. A plan has to be devised on how we can ease the traffic congestion in the state,” he said.
The MLA stressed that merely acknowledging the issue is not enough and called on the government to actively explore workable solutions, drawing lessons from other cities.
“We cannot be content by saying that everybody knows the problem. The question is how it can be done. We can follow examples from different cities, whether Indian or foreign,” Pyngrope stated.
He noted that while Shillong’s hilly terrain poses certain challenges for infrastructure development, it should not become an excuse for inaction. “One of the main reasons for congestion is the absence of a robust public transportation system. The topography is such that it is not a very easy option, of course. But that doesn’t mean there are no other solutions. Everybody must put their heads together and get it right,” he said.
Pyngrope further maintained that resolving the traffic crisis will take time and must be implemented in phases.
“Right now there is no shortcut solution. It has to be a decision that will take a long time to implement in a phased manner,” he said.
Among the immediate measures he suggested was making school buses mandatory, arguing that this alone could significantly reduce traffic during peak hours.
“I think we have to insist that school buses become mandatory. Every school in every part of the city should have them so that it can be effectively monitored,” he said.
Referring to documents previously tabled in the Assembly, Pyngrope claimed that the introduction of buses for schools would have a substantial impact.
“If you go through the document that was tabled in the House, one can draw the conclusion that the introduction of buses for every school will reduce traffic congestion tremendously, especially during school hours,” he added.
