Meghalaya: Planning Board Pushes for Multiple Flyovers to Fix for Shillong Traffic Crisis

SHILLONG: In a clear acknowledgement of the worsening traffic chaos in the Meghalaya capital, the State Planning Board has formally recommended the construction of several flyovers across Shillong, describing elevated structures as the only viable long-term solution to the city’s chronic gridlock.

Speaking to the media, Co-Chairman of the Board, Ollan Singh Suin, disclosed that a detailed proposal has already been submitted to the state government, identifying key bottleneck areas such as Polo and Anjalee for immediate intervention.

“Traffic congestion has emerged as one of the biggest developmental challenges for Shillong. Certain stretches witness hours-long jams almost every day. Building flyovers at these critical junctions will substantially improve traffic flow,” Suin said.

He expressed optimism that the situation would further ease once the New Shillong Township (NST) is fully operational, as a large number of government offices, educational institutions, and residential areas are expected to shift there, considerably reducing the load on the existing city.

Shillong’s unique topography — a narrow hill plateau with buildings constructed right up to the road edges — has made horizontal road expansion practically impossible on nearly 70 per cent of the congested routes, leaving vertical infrastructure like flyovers as the only realistic option.

Official figures reveal that the number of registered vehicles in East Khasi Hills district has surged from around 1.9 lakh in 2018 to approximately 3.3 lakh in 2025, with 70–80 vehicles being added daily. The worst-affected corridors include Anjalee–Dhankheti–Laitumkhrah, Fire Brigade–Nongthymmai, Mawlai Petrol Pump–Rilbong, 4th Furlong–Demseiniong–Nongmensong, and the Rilbong–Upper Shillong stretch.

Experts believe well-placed flyovers on these routes could cut congestion by up to 50 per cent.

The recommendation comes after earlier plans for an underpass from Rilbong to Anjalee under the Shillong-Dawki Road project were scaled down to terminate at Barik due to complications in acquiring defence land. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has stated it will proceed only if the state secures the required clearances from the Ministry of Defence.

With road-widening ruled out and daily gridlock now a harsh reality, residents and urban planners agree that elevated flyovers are no longer a luxury but an urgent necessity for the hill capital.

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