Meghalaya: Cab Drivers Protests After Govt Imposes Odd/Even System To Ease Traffic Congestion

SHILLONG: The busiest commercial sections of the Shillong, especially Khyndailad and Motphran junctions, have been ordered by the district administration to operate on an odd-even basis.

According to an order made by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, the presence of public transport vehicles at the intersections of Khyndailad and Motphran causes significant congestion and presents difficulties for both traffic control and pedestrian safety.

Taking on the twitter, Meghalaya Government wrote that, “Order to all #PublicTransportVehicles plying from Kashari Point towards Police Bazaar & Motphran are to operate on an #OddEven basis and it shall come into effect from 5th June, 2023

@DiprMeghalaya @KurbahRossetta @DC_EKH @MeghalayaPolice”

Shillong, the Meghalayan state capital, took a crucial step earlier on June 1 towards reducing traffic congestion and improving pedestrian safety in its busiest commercial districts. A new directive from the district administration requires all buses and taxis to operate at the Khyndailad and Motphran crossroads on an odd-even basis.

According to the official notification, “..all public transport vehicles (i.e. SPTS buses, SSPTS – maxi cabs and black & yellow local taxis) plying from Kashari Point towards Police Bazaar and Motohran are to operate on an Odd-Even basis.”

The order also stated that “ vehicles having registration numbers ending with odd digits (1,3,5,7,9) are to ply only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and vehicles having registration numbers ending in even digits (0,2,4,6,8) are to ply only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Such restriction shall not apply on Sundays.”

The decision was made in response to rising problem of the significant congestion brought on by public transport vehicles backed up at certain intersections. In addition to impeding effective traffic management, the condition also puts pedestrian safety at risk. The East Khasi Hills District Deputy Commissioner has taken this aggressive action in accordance with the Hon'ble High Court's directive to swiftly address the traffic issues.

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