Shillong: Shillong’s ambitious journey towards becoming a “modern, clean and well-administered city” is under close watch by the Meghalaya High Court, official documents revealed today.
A special division bench, presided over by Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, meticulously examined the progress outlined in an action taken report. This report was presented by the Commissioner and Secretary of Meghalaya’s Urban Affairs Department during a hearing concerning two interconnected Public Interest Litigations, specifically PIL No. 17 of 2021 and PIL No. 9 of 2024.
These legal petitions address a wide spectrum of urban challenges plaguing Shillong. Key areas of concern include the designation of specific zones for street vendors, the relocation of existing vending areas, the overarching regulation of traffic flow, the strategic allocation and potential relocation of parking facilities, and the crucial endeavor to clear road spaces to facilitate smoother vehicular movement.
Back in March, the High Court issued a firm directive to the concerned authorities, urging them to implement several critical initiatives with utmost urgency. These directives encompassed the clear demarcation of parking and no-parking zones, the procurement of 35 advanced buses aimed at lessening the reliance on private vehicles, the rollout of the Shared Mobility Initiative (STEMS) project designed to encourage school children to utilize public transport, the precise identification and regulation of both parking zones and street vending areas, and a robust crackdown on road rule violations coupled with stringent penalties for offenders.
Looking ahead, the court has granted the original petitioners until May 15th to submit their responses to the government’s detailed action taken report. Furthermore, the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association has been officially included as a respondent in the ongoing proceedings. The next crucial hearing in this matter is scheduled for May 21st.
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