SHILLONG: It’s curtains down on 2011 and welcome to the new year. But reminiscences are in order. Can 2011 be written off as a year of non-achievement for the MUA Government? Not if we list some of the landmarks of this government.
The most impressive achievement of the State Government this year and one that is considered to be most people friendly is the launch of the trademark SPTS or JNNURM buses which has revolutionised the public transport system in Shillong city.
The buses came in at a time when taxis ruled the roost and took passengers for a joy ride; charging exorbitant fares and imposing their own rules. The red coloured buses came as a great blessing.
This year, the State Government also inaugurated the new terminal at the Shillong airport in Umroi and even handed over 224 acres of land to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the expansion of the runway. Hopefully the Rs 30 crore project will take off sooner than later.
In the power sector the State Government managed to renovate and officially inaugurate the Sonapani mini hydel project thus activating the second phase of the once-defunct project and thereby adding another 1500 KW of electricity to the grid.
After much delay the first phase of the Myntdu Leshka hydel project has finally become operational but is yet to be officially commissioned.
This year, the State Government also succeeded in unveiling the foundation stone of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) office building to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6.40 crore at Lower Lachumiere, near Horse Shoe Building Complex.
The MPSC that had been established in 1972 did not have an office building of its own and the proposed building would have adequate number of rooms for all the members, staff and officers of the Commission.
Coming to the beautification of the city, the Mukul Sangma led MUA Government this year also launched the Khyndailad beautification project besides expansion of roads on some stretches of the city. The Khyndailad project is expected to be commissioned before the onset of monsoon next year.
Earlier, this year the construction of the 26 crore rupees cancer wing of the Shillong Civil Hospital also started and is scheduled to be completed next year.
The construction work for the two important projects-Guwahati Shillong four laning and Shillong Bypass is also carrying on in full steam; but the four laning project has been hit by a major controversy over the alignment of the highway.
The construction of the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road has also started this year.
Last year the Centre sanctioned Rs 1,494.48 crore for the project which, if completed on time, will see vehicles from Meghalaya going directly to Garo hills without travelling via Assam’s Goalpara district.
In the sports sector, the State received a major boost when the astro turf was laid in polo ground while the construction work of another astro turf at JN Stadium is almost complete.
There is a ray of hope for a railway project after the State Government handed over 65.09 hectares of land to the authorities of North Eastern Frontier railways for the 19.47 km broad gauge railway line from Dudhnoi to Mendipathar .
This year, the Central Government also gave its nod to the new Lanka-Sutnga railway project in the state.
In all several appreciable initiatives have been taken. The task for the MUA Government is to see that foundation stones are not immortalised amidst unfinished projects.
