Air quality declines in Shillong due to increasing number of vehicles, claims study

Digital Desk: AirVoice, an organization specializing in air quality analysis, has reported a decline in air quality in Shillong, Meghalaya's capital, primarily attributed to the increasing number of vehicles. According to their study conducted from January to June 2024, Shillong's air quality has deteriorated significantly compared to Gangtok and Thiruvananthapuram, though it remains better than Baddi in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi.

Official data cited in media reports reveal that Shillong saw 25,575 new vehicle registrations by July 2024, with a total of 5,66,120 vehicles registered overall. This marks a decrease from the 40,383 registrations in 2023.

Recently, traffic congestion on the Umiam bridge, connecting Guwahati and Shillong, intensified due to its limited one-way operational status. However, the Meghalaya government's decision to resume two-way traffic from July 30 has alleviated some of these issues following repair works.

In response to ongoing infrastructure challenges, the Meghalaya Transport Department has imposed new restrictions on the Umiam Dam bridge effective August 2. Only single-axle vehicles weighing under 9 metric tonnes, including their cargo, are now permitted to use the bridge.

These measures aim to mitigate congestion and environmental impacts, underscoring efforts to balance development with sustainable environmental practices in Meghalaya's urban areas.