Shillong, Oct 31: A state government effort to regularise parking and the charging of fees for the pleasure has generated Rs 7 lakh in the first two months since its implementation, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed today.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that traffic jams have been a problem for decades and are not just a recent phenomenon.
“Traffic jams are not just today. It’s been there for the last 50 years. So it’s not something that happens only during Cherry Blossom [Festival] or festive season – traffic is a major issue for us,” the CM said.
His government has implemented a structured parking policy, converting roadsides into designated parking zones where fees are now collected systematically.
“A simple fact like parking was never regularised and there was never a proper policy for it. You could park anywhere and pay nothing,” he said. “For the first time, our government has converted different zones into parking zones and fees are being collected. In the last two months, with the help of local people and localities, we have collected Rs 7 lakh from parking.”
According to Sangma, around 70-80 per cent of the revenue collected is returned to the respective localities to help manage and regulate the parking system effectively. “This partnership with the local bodies is helping in the overall decongestion of the city,” he said.
The CM also revealed that several new parking lots are being constructed across the city to ease congestion in high-traffic zones. “The parking lot next to the Additional Secretariat is about 20 to 30 days away from completion. Similar projects in Motphran and other key areas are also underway,” he said.
The government has also introduced a new parking scheme allowing individuals to lease or offer private land for use as parking spaces.
