Philip Khrawbok Shati vs State Of Meghalaya & Ors

Though the traffic situation in Shillong city does not appear to have improved at all over the last several months, the State says that a blueprint to decongest Shillong has been prepared by its Home Department in consultation with various other departments and based on a report submitted by Dalberg Global Development Advisors in January, 2021. According to the State, Dalberg Global is an internationally renowned traffic management consultant.

Learned Advocate-General submits that the detailed blueprint, a copy whereof has been filed in Court, has been forwarded to the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong for its opinion, advice and suggestions. The blueprint is broadly based on four binding principles and components dealing with augmentation of the network capacity, increasing the supply of public transport, demand management and reducing the need for travelling. Several finer aspects have also been detailed, beginning with the removal of road and footpath encroachment to introduction of bus corridors and setting up alternative modes of transport like a ropeway. A traffic management centre is planned along with road network expansion and creation of city bypass roads.

Since a detailed plan of action has been prepared, though the funds necessary to undertake the project have not been indicated, it is hoped that some action will be taken after the response is received from IIM, Shillong. At any rate, whether or not they are a part of a larger blueprint or plan or a wish-list, road network expansion and creation of city bypass roads must be taken up on urgent basis as such exercises will take considerable time.

It is hoped that IIM, Shillong makes an appropriate assessment and suggests immediate and long-term measures that the State should take to ease the traffic situation in Shillong.

Let the matter appear a fortnight after the vacation, particularly to ascertain the response of IIM, Shillong to the blueprint that has been prepared.

List on October 28, 2022.