By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 12: In a major setback to Shillong’s battle against crippling traffic congestion, Defence authorities have rejected the Meghalaya government’s proposal to construct a flyover from Rilbong to Barik, citing security concerns as the route passes through restricted military areas.
The flyover was widely seen as the most promising solution to decongest the city’s worst bottleneck corridor — Rilbong, Anjalee Cinema junction, Civil Hospital Point, All Saints’-Pine Mount stretch and Barik Point — where peak-hour gridlocks routinely affects citizens despite repeated traffic management measures.
Vehicle registration in the Shillong agglomeration has been growing at over 10% annually, while road space has remained unchanged. Barik handles a huge volume of vehicles during peak hours, leading to frequent paralysis that extends up to Dhankheti and Laitumkhrah.
The Rilbong-Barik elevated corridor was re-prioritised in 2024 after the state dropped shorter flyover segments (Rilbong-Jhalupara and Rilbong-Anjalee) originally packaged under the Shillong-Dawki project. High-level meetings involving Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, and NHIDCL officials had shortlisted the Barik extension as the “single largest traffic decongestion intervention” for the capital.
The General Officer Commanding, 101 Area, has formally conveyed the rejection to the CM, effectively shelving the flyover plan.
Sources said the state is now preparing an alternative proposal for a four-lane road along the same alignment. A joint meeting with Defence authorities will be held shortly to explore land availability or exchange options. “If Defence releases the required land, the four-lane road can be executed immediately,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, the ongoing four-laning of the Rilbong-Upper Shillong stretch under the same Shillong-Dawki project has crossed 85% physical progress and is scheduled for commissioning by the end of February.
