SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday inaugurated Meghalaya’s first multi-level car parking facility near the Additional Secretariat, marking a major step towards easing traffic congestion in the city.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said that traffic congestion continues to be one of Shillong’s most persistent challenges, driven largely by unorganised parking and inadequate enforcement infrastructure. He noted that the city’s unique geographical constraints leave little scope for quick or conventional solutions.
The Chief Minister said the government has adopted a long-term, multi-pronged approach to decongest the city, with the newly inaugurated parking facility forming a key pillar of this strategy.
He informed that nine to ten parking facilities are currently under development across Shillong, which will together create more than 1,300 organised parking spaces. To further strengthen the initiative, the government has also introduced a new parking policy aimed at encouraging participation from private landowners.
“With designated parking spaces now becoming available, we will be in a better position to take firm action against roadside parking,” Sangma said. While acknowledging that traffic issues cannot be resolved overnight, he described the project as a strong beginning towards systematic and sustainable traffic management.
Urban Affairs Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D, who also spoke at the event, said the project reflects the growing capacity of Meghalaya to execute complex urban infrastructure initiatives. He added that the facility sets a benchmark for future urban development projects in the state.
