The State government has informed the Meghalaya High Court that it has engaged an international body of experts in traffic management and after its initial report is received, the government would take steps to implement the short-term goals and obtain resources for long-term action to deal with traffic congestion in Shillong city.
During the hearing by the division bench of the High Court, Advocate General Amit Kumar stated that a tender has been floated to acquire mini-buses so that a large number of school children can be ferried to and from school in such buses without individual cars being used for such purpose.
He also stated that the State government has submitted a proposal to the World Bank to finance 21 electric buses to ply within the city limits.
The High Court in its observation at the hearing pointed out that several of the buses that were once used as part of the public transport system in the city have been dumped in various areas and are in an advanced state of disrepair.
The Advocate General assured the court that appropriate steps would be taken to dispose of the condemned buses in accordance with law so that additional funds may be obtained for augmenting the public transport system in and around the city.
During the hearing, suggestions have been made from the other appearing parties that the authorities should create adequate parking space at key areas to dissuade parking in the already congested and narrow streets.
The High Court also asked the State government to also consider construction of ropeways and other forms of transportation to the extent feasible and subject to availability of resources.
It may be noted that a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed by city-based lawyer Philip Khrawbok Shati seeking the High Court’s intervention to deal with traffic jams in the city. The next hearing on the matter will be held on August 17.
