SMB to dismantle Polo market
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has decided to construct a new shopping complex at Polo Bazaar by dismantling the whole market.
Work is likely to start by last week of November or first week of December, Meghalaya Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said on Friday.
“I discussed the matter with the Water Resources Minister and local MLA AL Hek and we will be meeting with the market associations on Monday to sign an agreement with them in relation to the construction of the said complex”, Lyngdoh said.
Reacting to the recent incident pertaining to meat vending outlets of Polo market, the Urban Affairs Minister said, “the SMB has put its foot down. The matter has even gone to the court.”
“But we are focusing on the market right now, let them go ahead with their case”, Lyngdoh reiterated.
It may be recalled that in July the SMB had fenced off with barbed wire all the meat vending outlets of Polo market.
Meanwhile, the publicity secretary of the FKJGP, East Khasi Hills district, Kitboklang Nongphlang said the butchers were yet to agree to move to the allotted shops at the new complex situated at the back of Polo Bazaar.
It may be mentioned here that around 12 or 13 butchers were affected by the SMB’s move. “It’s unfair on the part of the Board to send us to a location where you don’t get any customer; there is a fall in our income. The SMB should have moved all the outlets to the new location”, one affected butcher had said recently.
When asked about the new complex constructed at the back of the Bazaar, the Urban Affairs Minister said “we are going to dismantle the whole market and set up a new complex in its place.”
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Minister said “I have heard about the people’s grievances and the people should corporate with the SMB for their benefit. After the shops constructed within the complex will be allotted to them.”
He further said an alternative arrangement for these vendors to sell their goods somewhere else during the period of construction would be made.