Shillong Traffic Congestion: Meghalaya High Court Says No Plan Seems To Be Implemented, Directs State To File Affidavit

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday directed the State government to file an affidavit indicating the steps taken and proposed to be taken to ease traffic congestion in capital city Shillong.

The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Sanjib Banerjee, and Justice W. Diengdoh, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation raising concerns about the growing traffic congestion in the city.

In its order, the bench noted that several months ago, the State government had indicated that most parents of school-going children in the city had agreed to opt for their wards being ferried to schools by bus, provided the State government took the responsibility of running such a service. The State government had indicated that about 50 to 60 buses were being acquired for this purpose, the bench noted.

However, the High Court observed that nothing seems to have been implemented in this regard. The bench also noted that the State government had also tentatively indicated other long-term and short-term plans to ease traffic congestion in the city, particularly following suggestions by the IIM, Shillong and by a foreign agency apparently engaged by the State for this purpose. Again, nothing appears to have come of it apart from a ropeway being planned, and that too, for tourism purposes, the bench frowned.

In view of the existing position on ground the bench directed the State government to indicate the plans to be implemented over the next few months, those over the next few years, and the long-term goals taking into consideration the rate of increase of private cars and vehicular traffic, the burgeoning tourism industry, and the available space.

Accordingly the bench directed the listing of the matter again in a fortnight's time, on May 3, 2023.

Case Title: Philip Khrawbok Shati vs. State of Meghalaya & ors.

Click Here To Read/Download Order