Prestone Tynsong inaugurated 'Urban Mobility for Shillong City' workshop

The study conducted by Dalberg focused on citizens' needs, sustainability and unlocking economic growth.

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Prestone Tynsong inaugurated a daylong workshop on 'Urban Mobility for Shillong City' at the State Convention Centre here on Monday.

The aim of the workshop was to deliberate and prepare an action plan on the recommendations of the study on 'Urban Mobility for Shillong City'.

It was conducted by the 'Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd' (MIDFC) and the 'Project Management Unit' (PMU) of the 'Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project' (MITP) -- a World Bank Funded Project. The study was entrusted to a global consulting firm, Dalberg.

Addressing the gathering, Tynsong hoped that the recommendations made through the extensive and comprehensive study conducted by Dalberg will aid in decongesting the State's capital city of Shillong.

The suggestion for operation of cable cars is highly favourable for the city, he said, adding that ''land acquisition for construction of roads and flyovers often meet with stiff opposition due to the land-tenure system that exists in our State''.

Agreeing that the need of the hour is to meet the short-term goals, he reiterated the need for improving and increasing bus services for the public as well as schools.

The Project Director of the 'Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project' (MITP) and also CEO of 'Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd' (MIDFC), Dr D. Vijay Kumar said in his address, ''The process of ensuring urban mobility is a complex, multi-sectoral issue. It involves many stakeholders.''

Stating that Shillong has the potential of becoming a world-class city and one of the best hill stations in the country, he added that this potential will be realized only when the mobility problem is solved.

The study conducted by Dalberg focused on the needs of the citizens, sustainability and unlocking economic growth and with this vision in mind, 10 key suggestions were made for improving mobility systems in the capital city.

The suggestions include introducing high frequency people friendly public buses; building of 'Ring Roads' so as to divert traffic from National Highways; and introduction of 'Cable Cars' as an alternative to road-based mobility.

It further suggested creating walkable culture corridors connecting places of tourist attraction to encourage walking; providing smart streetlights in Municipal areas.

The study suggested introducing 'non-fuss' school buses; establishing next door markets to decentralize daily markets; reduction in street parking by curbing illegal parking in Municipal areas; introducing car cap policy to reverse trends in car ownership and creating a self sufficient new Shillong township.

The workshop saw the participation of officers from different government departments, community leaders, representatives from educational institutions, hoteliers, and Dorbar Shnongs.

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