SHILLONG : The Meghalaya government has designated separate parking facilities for tourist vehicles from Assam in a move aimed at easing traffic congestion in Shillong, particularly around the Secretariat and other busy locations.

Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday announced that small tourist vehicles from Assam will park at the MUDA parking facility on Keating Road, while larger tourist buses will be accommodated at the Shillong Recreation Ground and Training Centre (SRGT).

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Transport Department officials, Dhar said the arrangement was finalised following complaints about tourist vehicles parking indiscriminately near the Secretariat, Ward’s Lake and Pinewood Hotel.

He said the government had received requests from Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora, who heads the concerned committee, as well as tourist operators from Assam.

Under the new arrangement, small tourist vehicles can drop off passengers at the Secretariat or Khyndailad before proceeding to the designated parking facility on Keating Road. Space has also been earmarked at SRGT for around 10 to 20 buses.

Dhar said the move would help maintain orderly traffic and prevent tourist vehicles from occupying roadside spaces. He added that local tourist vehicles already have designated parking areas and that the parking facility at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is open to all.

On the demand by Meghalaya tourist taxi operators for parking facilities at Guwahati airport, Dhar said the matter had been discussed with the Adani Group. He added that space would be allocated once the ongoing work on the parking facility was completed.

Asked whether tourist vehicles from Assam would face restrictions on travelling to destinations such as Sohra and Dawki, the minister said they were free to visit any destination.

“They can go wherever they want. Who can stop them?” Dhar said.