Shillong, Jun 27: The Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) leader Angela Rangad today said Shillong’s congestion crisis needs a city-wide, inclusive solution instead of measures that target specific groups, arguing that current government approaches have failed residents and hawkers alike.
Speaking to Highland Post, Rangad said the city “belongs to everyone” and that issues like water, garbage, congestion, traffic jams, and poor public transport affect all citizens. She pointed to the MUDA pedestrian strip, where hawkers were moved with the expectation of less traffic. “It has doubled, and in fact, unfortunately, the area has become even not as safe anymore, because you have removed eyes on the road,” she said, citing urban planning concerns.
Rangad said individual fixes like owning two vehicles, early departures, or constant parking runs are not sustainable, especially for school children and working people. TUR plans monthly conversations on congestion to build citizen-led, agreeable solutions and urged people to engage online if they cannot attend in person.
On government response, Rangad said it has been “very anti-people” and short-sighted. She cited underused multi-level parking lots while roadside parking continues, and tourist taxis displaced from Police Bazaar now circling without a stand and facing fines or extortion. She added that pushing Meghalaya as a tourism hub will worsen traffic if transport planning is not addressed first.
TUR suggested measures seen in other congested cities: better public transport including school and work buses, regulating outside vehicles with shuttles from Mawiong, making stretches of Police Bazaar bus-only, and congestion zoning with higher taxes for private vehicles in core areas. She also said the government should “lead by example” by curbing its own fleet of SUVs and cars instead of adding more.
The association said Shillong can remain livable with breathable air and water if citizens and authorities plan together, rather than relying on construction and vehicle expansion.
