By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following the unprecedented flood that the city witnessed recently, a call to start an institute for urban planning has gained momentum.
Several residents of the city felt that such an institution will go a long way in addressing the problem. They say that the available state departments/agencies have failed to live up to the expectations due to largescale interference from politicians. They felt there should not be any political interference as far as the functioning of the institute is concerned.
During an interaction with a cross section of people, it is found that people now feel there is a need to initiate a plan for urbanization and prepare a vision paper on the demographic pattern. “There is a need for a well thought out plan for future development for which a dedicated agency is required. There is also a need for the assistance of the Planning Commission for setting up of such an institution,” said a retired bureaucrat, who served the Urban Affairs department, adding “Meghalaya should take it up in the 12th five-year plan”.
“The 2011 census says that there has been a significant rise in the State’s population. The city has grown quite haphazardly in the last few years, which only says that the available departments/agencies could not check that. A bureaucracy-free agency can do wonders if set up with the right intention,” said a resident of the town who has seen the ups and downs since the formation of Meghalaya.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Urban Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh said she has been briefed, when she herself took up if there is any need for a urban planning institution, that there exist an agency MUDA. “But then the question remains what has been this agency doing to arrest unplanned urbanization. I am going to review MUDA’s parameters and functioning under which the agency works. I have to see whether the authority is into urban and town planning but as of today MUDA already has within its purview building bylaws, enough provision for supervision, monitoring etc.,” said Ms Lyngdoh.
But MUDA’s urban growth management is restricted to greater urban conglomeration whose jurisdiction is not outside the municipal areas. “I had a meeting recently with the concerned state ministers to ensure that water, electricity connection outside the municipal areas must have MUDA confirmation,” she said.
When asked about how important it is to have these agencies free from political interferences, Ms Lyngdoh said she is told that the urban agency has no political interference as it is a political conglomeration. “There is complete confusion. I am going to look into all these aspects since damage is already done to the city and I am going to take up every step possible since now we are only looking at everything inconclusively. We have to re-look sincerely,” she said. She even cited the example of Williamnagar in Garo Hills which was planned on proper urban management but there have been hindrances at the implementation level. “I just returned from Chandigarh and I would like to see that the New Shillong Township is a replica of Chandigarh with all details,” she said.
On the present condition of encroachment upon streams and elsewhere, she said her department would take all necessary steps “but things are not going to be that easy as there will fiery obstacles.” She even said that the issue of garbage management is also about contribution and participation.
“I have removed some ugly dustbins between Dhankheti and Fire Brigade. I visited Keating Road recently and I will be visiting some other areas of the town with a plan,” she said adding people should also contribute and participate in her efforts.