Meghalaya inaugurates two multilevel parking structures in Shillong

Shillong saw the inauguration of two multilevel car parking facilities on Tuesday as the state government sought to tackle the capital’s chronic traffic congestion. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, speaking at the ceremony, said the new structures at Mawkhar and Motphran are intended to provide organised parking for around 200 vehicles and form a core element of the Shillong Smart City Mission’s effort to improve urban mobility.

Chief Minister stresses organised parking

During the event, Sangma emphasized that traffic congestion cannot be resolved through piecemeal measures such as one-way roads or isolated no-parking zones. He argued that a permanent solution requires a clear understanding of why the problem occurs and the creation of adequate parking alternatives. "Making one-way roads or stopping parking at one place cannot be a permanent solution. To find a solution, we must know why the problem is happening," he said.

Details of the multilevel facilities

The two parking structures were built under the Shillong Smart City Mission with an investment of Rs 38.92 crore. Both sites are located in areas identified as among the city’s most congested localities. The facilities together will accommodate roughly 200 vehicles, offering a structured parking option for residents and tourists who previously struggled to find legal parking spaces.

Mobility study informs the plan

Sangma noted that the government had conducted a detailed mobility study of Shillong for more than a year, employing drones, satellite imagery and vehicle counts to map traffic patterns. A key finding of the study was that while the administration had created several no-parking zones, it had not simultaneously provided designated parking zones. "If you want to stop somebody from parking somewhere, you have to give that person the option to park somewhere else," the chief minister explained.

Future parking expansion and decongestion measures

The chief minister said the state is now exploring government, community and private land to add further parking facilities as part of a broader mobility plan. He also highlighted that the upcoming relocation of the Secretariat to the new Administrative City next year is expected to reduce traffic pressure on the current city centre significantly.

Community celebrations and the National Games

Sangma used the occasion to reaffirm the administration’s support for festivals and religious events across all communities, stating that the government does not promote any religion but aims to support people’s celebrations. He urged citizens to take part in preparations for the National Games, which Meghalaya will host next year, adding that the event will showcase the state’s hospitality and warmth. (The Sentinel Assam reported)