SHILLONG: A blueprint to decongest Shillong is being prepared by the Home Department of Meghalaya in cooperation with other departments and based on a study provided by Dalberg Global Development Advisors in January 2021.
The blueprint is being sent to IIM Shillong for specialized guidance and feedback and also to suggest any addition to the blueprint.
The Meghalaya High Court while hearing a PIL filed by one Philip Khrawbok Shati on the matter of decongesting the beautiful hill city advised that the blueprint be sent to IIM Shillong for any feedback and guidance on the blueprint as it is a specialized institute in management.
The High Court will again hear on the topic on October 28 which means that IIM Shillong is given a month's time to study the whole blueprint and suggest any addition or deletion from the blueprint.
The whole blueprint is designed keeping in mind the four binding principles and components dealing with network capacity enhancement, expanding public transportation supply, demand management, and lowering the need for travel.
The blueprint also outlines a plan to bring in alternative modes of transport like ropeway which would give a wholesome experience of the hill city. The matter of road and footpath encroachment by shops is also outlined in the blueprint. Earlier this month the Meghalaya government marked the vending areas in Shillong to decongest the footpaths and roads.
The blueprint also has proposals for introducing bus corridors in the city for a smooth bus experience for the commuters devoid of the cacophony of other traffic.
A traffic management center, as well as road network development and the construction of city bypass routes, are also proposed in the blueprint.
In its order, the two-member bench of judges of the Meghalaya High Court said, "Since a detailed plan of action has been prepared, though the funds necessary to undertake the project have not been indicated by the government, it is hoped that some action will be taken after the response is received from IIM, Shillong."
Hill cities tend to have roads that are narrower than the plains and on top of that if their pavements and roads are congested by shops it somewhere snatches a piece from the beautiful experience of visitors.
Shillong after this blueprint is realized will give the visitors a beautiful experience of visiting a hill station and also will be much more convenient with bus corridors and an advanced traffic management center.
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