Construction of Jail Road market complex
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has asserted that the construction of the market complex at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Square (NSCBS) in Jail Road and subsequent relocation of the fish market is a pro-people initiative of the Government.
Reacting to reports that the market relocation plan is drawing public ire, the Minister on Tuesday said, “Government of India is sanctioning these projects and it is sad that we have these ‘hiccups’.”
The Minister, while seeking the identity of the complainant, refuted the reports saying there is no provision for toilets as it has been provided in the four-storied building with proper sanitation arrangements.
Earlier, it was reported that the Jail Road Welfare Committee (JRWC), Shillong Municipal Board and Urban Affairs Department (UAD) had carried out a joint inspection for the project.
The Minister, while elaborating on the inspection, said, “We had conducted the joint inspection with the Jail Road Welfare Committee (JRWC) in February – March and subsequently pursued the matter to relocate the fish market and had accordingly started to even construct two shops as models. At first they agreed and after two days they decided against it.”
Reacting to a query on the demand to relocate the temporary shed to the lane connecting Jail Road with Polo, the Minister said it could not be done as the stretch was already clogged.
She informed that the work for the project would start on October 25 immediately after the Durga Puja celebrations are over.