Shillong, November 5 : In a bold step towards reshaping urban mobility, the Government of Meghalaya launched the Tactical Urbanism Trial Plan under its “Reimagining Streets” initiative today. The pilot project, which stretches from the IGP to DC Office junction, aims to enhance city streets by prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety while improving traffic flow.
The initiative kicked off with an engaging community effort as 25 local students gathered to paint the streets in front of Aayakar Bhavan. The event was led by officials from the DC office, the Urban Affairs Department, and the Public Works Department (PWD), signaling a collaborative approach to urban transformation.
Tactical urbanism is a temporary, low-cost urban design intervention that allows for quick and flexible changes to transportation infrastructure. This trial phase will include visual measures like road markings, traffic cones, planter boxes, and new signage to test how these modifications can improve street functionality and pedestrian experience.
The trial will run for one month, during which residents and commuters are encouraged to provide feedback. The government plans to refine the changes based on public input before launching permanent infrastructure projects. The ultimate goal is to create more vibrant and safer streets that cater to everyone, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
This trial is a key component of the Shillong Urban Mobility Policy introduced in January 2024. The policy aligns with Vision 2030, which envisions dedicating 30% of road space to Non-Motorized Transport, focusing on enhancing mobility for pedestrians and cyclists while reducing congestion.
