CSR fund to be used to light up city
SHILLONG: The Pine City of Shillong which is widely projected as one of the most loved hill stations sinks into darkness after sunset. This is because most of the street lights in the city are non-functional.
However, the Urban Affairs Department has decided to light up the capital, especially the entry points so that it sends a good message to visitors.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Monday, Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh admitted that the city is poorly lit up in the evenings. He said the Department is planning to light up several places in the city using CSR funds of some corporate houses.
The Minister said though the fund is limited, the department would try to take up the project soon and cover as many areas as possible. He also informed that the Department is carrying out a study in this connection.
“If we have proper street lights, it will discourage anti-social elements and even people will feel secure,” he added.
It may be mentioned that different areas in the city — like Mawiong Rim, Mawblei, Nongthymmai, the entire stretch from Lumdeingjri till Civil Hospital — have less lights causing inconvenience to commuters.
Earlier, while taking a tough stand on poor street lighting, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had also summoned the officials of the Shillong Municipal Board and MeECL, to find a solution to the problem.