Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the government has conceptualised different interventions to decongest and beautify Shillong.
“Shillong is a historic city, which has been the capital of the eastern region prior to Independence and of the undivided Assam. We have not seen the kind of growth that Shillong deserves. Urbanization and increase of population have led to a lot of challenges, when it comes to facilities and amenities. With these in mind, we have come up with various interventions to decongest and beautify Shillong,” he said, while laying the foundation for Wah Umkhrah Riverfront Development Project at Polo in Shillong in presence of Deputy Chief Minister and i/c Urban Affairs Snaiwbhalang Dhar and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister A.L. Hek.
The Wah Umkhrah Riverfront Development Project plans to redevelop the Wah Umkrah Riverfront to be a central hub for recreational, cultural, and social activities, with a project cost of ₹39 Crores. The Project aims not only to restore the ecological balance of the river but also to create a harmonious blend of modern amenities.
Informing that mere beautification of the riverfront is meaningless, the Chief Minister said, “Developing the riverfront and maintaining the river are two different aspects. We are working closely with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India to clean up Wah Umkhrah and Umshyrpi river.”
He said that the central government has asked the State to revisit its proposal for cleaning of Umkhrah and Umshyrpi river and the proposal is being considered. “We will be working towards cleaning of the rivers, which is very much needed,” he added.
Seeking cooperation from different stakeholders, he urged the community to join hands to ensure their bit in the success of the project by involving in protecting rivers and streams that forms the identity of Shillong.
On the decongestion of Shillong city, he said that different areas have been identified for multi-level parking lots and hawker zones. Informing that a land in Polo between Hotel Polo Towers and Majestic Hotel, which has been lying without any use will be transferred to Urban Department from the Forest Department and will be developed for multi-level parking.
He further said that the government has identified many lands in the city, including one near Meghalaya Secretariat which will be developed for multi-level parking.
Talking on congestion in Khyndailad (Police Bazar) and Iewduh (Bura Bazar) which is due to unregulated vehicular movement, the Chief Minister said, “The government has identified choking points, and is planning alternatives to decongest the two popular markets with demarcated area and zones for buses and taxis to park”.
During the programme, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister also handed over cheques amounting to ₹75,000 and ₹1,50,000 under My City Campaign to various Dorbar Shnong of Shillong.
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