SHILLONG: In a major boost to hopes of easing Shillong’s chronic traffic congestion, BJP MLA A.L. Hek has revealed that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is actively moving ahead with plans to construct flyovers across key traffic corridors in the city.
The announcement marks a significant shift in urban planning for the state capital, as the government looks to address daily gridlocks that have long plagued commuters in the Pine City.
Rhino–Barik Flyover on the Cards
One of the most ambitious proposals under consideration is a flyover along one of Shillong’s most congested stretches.
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Proposed Route: Rhino junction to Barik point
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Expected Impact: The flyover is expected to bypass multiple crowded intersections, significantly reducing travel time on a stretch where vehicles are often stranded for hours.
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Project Status: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is reportedly refining the project’s alignment to ensure the design remains viable and future-ready.
“We are planning several flyovers, and one of them will be coming very soon. This will provide massive relief to the people of Shillong,” Hek said.
Land Acquisition: The Key Challenge
While outlining the plan, Hek acknowledged that land ownership patterns in Meghalaya pose a major challenge to infrastructure development. Unlike many other states, most land in Meghalaya is owned by private individuals, clans, and shnong, rather than the government.
He said the government is currently doing its “homework” to engage with landowners and local communities before finalising the project.
Appealing for public cooperation, Hek stressed that such large-scale infrastructure projects can only materialise with the support of landowners and shnong authorities, as the flyovers are intended to serve the larger public interest.
Partial Relief, Long-Term Planning
Hek was also candid in stating that flyovers are not a magic solution to Shillong’s traffic woes, but would provide significant and partial relief if executed strategically.
He said that technical departments are carrying out detailed feasibility and traffic studies before construction begins, adding that the government is examining multiple locations, beyond the Rhino–Barik stretch, to create a more integrated traffic decongestion network.
Flyovers in Shillong have long remained a subject of public debate. However, with technical studies underway and consultations with landowners reportedly in progress, the proposal now appears to be moving from discussion to actionable policy, offering renewed hope to commuters battling daily traffic snarls.
