SHILLONG, OCT 14: The state government has fixed dedicated parking for tourist vehicles from Assam, which were blamed for clogging roads near Secretariat and other prime locations.
Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday said small tourist vehicles from Assam will henceforth park at MUDA parking at Keating Road while bigger buses will be accommodated at SRGT.
Addressing reporters after a meeting with officials of the Transport department, Dhar said the issue had been pending for weeks due to complaints of random parking.
“They were parking near Secretariat, Ward’s Lake, Pinewood Hotel. We have received a request from Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora, who heads the committee, and also from Assam tourist operators. So today we finalised it,” he said.
Dhar said the new arrangement will ensure orderly traffic movement.
“For small vehicles, Keating Road MUDA parking has been earmarked. For big buses, we have earmarked space for 10 to 20 buses at SRGT. It doesn’t look good if they park along the road. They can drop passengers at Secretariat or Khyndailad and then go and park there. It will be neat and systematic,” he stated.
He added that local tourist vehicles already have their own parking lots and that ISBT parking is open to all.
On Meghalaya tourist taxis demanding parking at Guwahati airport, Dhar said the matter has been raised with the Adani Group.
“We have discussed this with Adani Group. Work is not yet complete. As soon as parking is ready, they will earmark space for us,” he said.
To a query if vehicles from Assam will be restricted from going to Sohra, Dawki and other tourist spots, Dhar said, “They can go wherever they want. Who can stop them?”
By Our Reporter
