SHILLONG, MAR 21: In a decisive move to tackle Shillong’s growing traffic congestion, the Meghalaya government is set to enforce a strict ban on roadside parking under the newly implemented Meghalaya Parking Policy for Urban Areas, 2025. Minister-in-Charge of the Urban Affairs Department, Sniawbhalang Dhar, asserted that the days of unchecked parking on public roads are over.
“We are modifying the rules, and no one will be allowed to park directly on the road. This decision will strategically reduce traffic congestion,” Dhar stated, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
The issue of night-time haphazard parking, which complicates emergency responses during fires and other incidents, was also discussed. Dhar explained, “That is why the Meghalaya Parking Policy 2025 specifically addresses parking regulations. Its main goal is to reduce roadside parking.”
He emphasized that the recently passed Meghalaya Parking Policy for Urban Areas, 2025, aims to tackle the city’s persistent traffic congestion and disorganized parking.
The policy, which came into effect on March 6, 2025, outlines the state’s vision and provides a framework for planning, approving, and implementing parking reforms to make urban areas, including Shillong, more organized and congestion-free.
While acknowledging the challenges of implementation, Dhar assured that parking facilities are in the pipeline. “Parking lots will be developed very soon… we are trying to expedite the process as much as possible,” he said. The government is also working closely with traffic police and considering the relocation of the new city secretariat as part of broader efforts to decongest the capital.
With authorities tightening regulations and enforcement, Shillong is set to witness a major transformation in its urban mobility landscape. The crackdown signals a firm commitment to making the city more organized, accessible, and traffic-free.