Govt to create more lay byes to accommodate traffic: CM

Shillong, Jan 18 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said the state government would create more lay byes to accommodate traffic and had engaged a magistrate and a senior police officer to monitor the smooth flow of traffic along the Shillong-Guwahati-Silchar highway and especially in Shillong city. "We will create more lay-byes from Umiam Lake to Shillong with an aim to reduce traffic congestion along the narrow Shillong-Guwahati road," Sangma said after visiting the highways. "The PWD has been entrusted to work out on the proposal for the lay-byes," the chief minister said. The Single Window Agency of the state government headed by the Chief Minister himself is expected to clear the proposals. The Government of India, through the NHAI, is constructing a four-lane from Jorabad in Guwahati to Lad Umroi in Umiam Lake. According to the Chief Minister, the government is contemplating to extend the four lane road up to Mawiongrim near here. "For the remaining eight km from Lad Umiam to Shillong, the government is acquiring more land for the four-lane road," he said. Sangma also met with around 12 land owners along the stretch for the four lane road for which he said they are ready to part with. Last week more than 5000 vehicles were stranded along the roads here due to massive traffic jam.