Shillong, April 17: The High Court of Meghalaya has asked the state government to file an affidavit on steps taken to ease traffic congestion in the city.
Hearing a pending PIL, the court said, “The state’s affidavit should indicate the plans to be implemented over the next few months, those over the next few years and the long-term goals taking into consideration the rate of increase of private cars and vehicular traffic, the burgeoning tourism industry and the available space”.
The court said several months back, the state had indicated that most of the parents of school-going children in the city had agreed to opt for their wards being ferried to schools by bus, provided the state government took the responsibility of running such service.
“Indeed, it was indicated that about 50 to 60 buses were being acquired for such purpose. However, nothing seems to have been implemented in such regard,” the court said.
Further, the court said there were other long-term and short-term plans which had been tentatively indicated, particularly following suggestions by the IIM, Shillong and by a foreign agency apparently engaged by the State for such purpose.
“Again, nothing appears to have come of it apart from a ropeway being planned, and that too, for tourism purposes,” the court added.
The next hearing will be held on May 3.
