SHILLONG, July 4: Shillong’s public roads have been transformed into a lawless revenue stream for unauthorised collectors as a lack of government oversight allows “anonymous” parking attendants to fleece motorists from Motphran to G.S. Road without uniforms, IDs, or accountability.
Motorists are accusing the authorities of turning a blind eye to daylight extortion, as the city’s lifelines are increasingly “privatised” by middlemen. In several parts of the city, including the stretch from G.S. Road to Bimola Point, public spaces that were once free are now manned by individuals who appear suddenly to demand fees. These collectors operate without official uniforms, identification cards, or POS machines to verify their authenticity.
The strongest evidence of a potential scam lies in the receipts issued to drivers. Multiple motorists allege that attendants are issuing reused receipts, with identical serial numbers handed out to different vehicles. This practice suggests a total lack of official recording, ensuring the money vanishes into a “black hole” rather than reaching the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) or the state treasury.
The encroachment on public space is most visible on Butcher Road and the stretch from Motphran to Jeep Stand. On Butcher Road, the thoroughfare has been effectively converted into a full-scale parking lot, with vehicles occupying half the main road. Despite the disruption to traffic, “attendants” continue to collect fees without any official signage indicating these are designated paid zones.
The absence of clear government monitoring has left the public with more questions than answers. While farmers bringing produce to Iewduh and professionals heading to Police Bazar are forced to pay, it remains unclear who authorised these collections or how the revenue is being utilised.
As the “parking mafia” tightens its grip on the Hill City, the demand for transparency and a crackdown on these unauthorised syndicates continues to grow.
