By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 1: The state government’s initiative to regulate roadside parking has begun showing results, with Laban becoming one of the first areas to witness a visible improvement in traffic flow.
Enforcement began a few days ago along the stretch from Howell Road to St. John School and the Streamlet area, though certain pockets like Pine Mount are currently excluded. Laban Rangbah Shnong Edward Kharwanlang noted that the impact was immediate, with significantly reduced congestion.
Contractual volunteers have been deployed to manage the system from 8 am to 9 pm daily. Kharwanlang explained that the revenue-sharing model allocates 80 per cent of the collection to the shnong and 20 per cent to urban authorities.
However, he added that further clarity is needed regarding fund flow for collections made via the Urban Department’s electronic machines.
The initiative is part of a wider effort to tackle Shillong’s chronic traffic issues caused by unregulated parking on narrow roads. Daily monitoring is conducted by zonal task forces supported by uniformed volunteers.
Parking fees have been set at Rs 20 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 40 per hour for four-wheelers in commercial zones, with lower rates applicable in residential areas.
Officials aim to keep major roads clear during peak school and office hours to gradually ease pressure on the city’s road network.
While still in its initial phase, the experience in Laban suggests that consistent enforcement could offer practical relief in other congestion-prone areas of the city.
