Meghalaya’s capital Shillong grapples with severe traffic snarls, and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has identified erratic parking as a key driver of the crisis. At the launch of the state’s pioneering automated multi-storey car park near the Additional Secretariat on Vivekananda Road, he unveiled a multifaceted government blueprint aimed at long-term relief.
‘Traffic congestion is among the most pressing issues facing Shillong,’ Sangma asserted, noting that the lack of proper parking infrastructure forces vehicles onto roadsides, crippling mobility and frustrating daily commuters. The newly opened park is just the starting point of this strategic overhaul.
With nine further sites earmarked for multi-level parks—offering capacity for 1,300 cars—the administration is scaling up solutions aggressively. Complementing this is a progressive parking policy inviting private landowners into public-private partnerships, where they can build and monetize facilities.
Sangma advocated for strict adherence to designated parking areas to eliminate random roadside occupation. He also detailed supporting projects: bus and taxi terminals at Khyndailad, vendor relocation from high-traffic zones, road expansions like Umshiripi-Seventh Mile, and a proposed elevated four-lane link from Rhino Museum Point to Barik via Civil Hospital.
As these initiatives roll out, Shillong residents can anticipate significant easing of congestion, paving the way for a more navigable urban landscape.