The Meghalaya government’s proposal to create parking lots at Phan Nonglait Park and Ward’s Lake in order to ease traffic congestion has raised concerns among legislators about whether these will harm the few remaining green spaces in Shillong.
In the Assembly today during question hour North Shillong MLA and opposition legislator Adelbert Nongrum claimed that the government is too quick and ready to compromise on the existing natural environment and beauty of Shillong just to tackle traffic congestion. While stressing that traffic congestion has been a nightmare in Shillong, he believes the solution does not lie in destroying natural beauty.
Nongrum asked if the government is considering an alternative to find a solution to the growing traffic congestion in the city, especially around Khyndailad/Police Bazar and Iewduh, two areas that fall under his constituency.
Urban Affairs Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar replied that he understands Nongrum’s concern but the government will not compromise on environmental issues as it brings development to the state.
“Every project prepared under PWD (Public Works Department), Urban (Affairs), Tourism, etc you should understand there are certain guidelines placed by the Forest Department,” Dhar said. “Concerning traffic congestion, there is a committee headed by the Chief Secretary in line with other departments. We will not compromise with the environment, that is very clear.”
The Deputy CM cited a new parking lot constructed opposite NEIGRIHMS as a model the government will use regarding the two projects that worry Nongrum, adding that not a single tree will be cut down to build a parking lot or widen roads.
The North Shillong representative also asked about the status of the government’s proposal to build a flyover from the Deputy Commissioner’s office to Motphran with an alignment that will not touch Khyndailad.
He claimed that the main cause of traffic jams around Motphrang is because the road through nearby Them Ïewmawlong is closed to outside traffic to protect the residents, which has been the norm since the riots of 2018 that centred on the area. Nongrum has periodically called for the road to be opened up to outside traffic.
Prestone Tynsong, also a Deputy CM as well as being in charge of the Home Department, said that the issue of Them Ïewmawlong is deeply concerning to the state government but because opening the area up is linked to law and order, making any moves in this regard has to be approached carefully.
However, Tynsong said that he has directed the district administration and police to give inputs about the situation. “We would like to ensure the entry of that stretch be made open at the earliest,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope, also from the opposition, emphasised that legislators’ advice and suggestions must be considered before advanced work on the parking lots begin.
Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui, on the treasury benches, also suggested that since the state government intends to set up a medical college at Shillong Civil Hospital, which is adjacent to Phan Nonglait Park, it would make more sense to extend the Civil Hospital premises for the college rather than building a parking lot.
Former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, also of the opposition, joined in and described the parking lot proposals as disturbing. He recalled that previous plans had called for parking bays and embarkment and disembarkment points to be set aside.
He said that a dedicated fund was released to the Urban Affairs and PWD departments for implementing these parking bays.
Dr Sangma said that he was perturbed that the money that was deposited with the concerned department ended up changing parking bays to parking lots. “Are we not able to differentiate the words bays and lots? Unless we have dedicated embarkment and disembarkment points, this problem of traffic congestion will continue,” he stressed.
