Northeast Desk, August 3, 2024 — AirVoice, an organization specializing in air quality data analysis and mapping, has reported a significant decline in air quality in Meghalaya’s capital city, Shillong, due to an increasing number of vehicles.
The study, conducted between January and June 2024, reveals that Shillong’s air quality has deteriorated more than that of Gangtok and Thiruvananthapuram. However, it remains comparatively better than the air quality in Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi and New Delhi.
According to media reports citing official data, the total number of vehicles registered in Shillong this year until July stands at 25,575, compared to 40,383 vehicles registered in 2023. As of July 2024, the overall number of registered vehicles in the city has reached 5,66,120.
Adding to the city’s traffic woes, the Umiam bridge, which was restricted to one-way traffic between Guwahati and Shillong, caused significant snarls on both sides. Following the completion of repairs, the Meghalaya government approved the resumption of two-way traffic on the Umiam bridge starting July 30.
In a related development, the Meghalaya Transport Department announced new weight and size restrictions for vehicles crossing the Umiam Dam bridge. Effective immediately, only single-axle vehicles weighing less than 9 metric tonnes, including their load, will be permitted to use the bridge.