SHILLONG: The state government is making all-out efforts to beautify the Polo area with a plan to acquire land for construction of parks and walkways on the anvil.
“The chief minister has been proposing to acquire all the land along the stream and pay compensation to the residents so that they shift from there,” urban affairs minister Ronnie Lyngdoh said.
The Polo area has, of late, bore the brunt of rain-induced flash floods, making life difficult for people, particularly pedestrians.
“The CM along with the department is proposing to beautify Polo market. His dream is to acquire the land from Polo Bridge to 4th Furlong. If we can acquire land, we can ensure that the area near the stream can have walkways, a place for people to sit…as in parks,” he said.
Lyngdoh further said the department had invited expressions of interest (EOI) for people to come up with a design for Polo market.“To develop the Polo market, we are going to invite EOI and the best architectural design will be chosen,” he said.
Rejuvenation of Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers
“We are not only trying to beautify Shillong but also making efforts to rejuvenate Umshyrpi and Wahumkhrah rivers to ensure the water of these two rivers are clean,” the urban affairs minister said. In this connection, the department will engage a firm, WAPCOS (Water and Power Consultancy Services), to prepare a feasibility plan.
Lyngdoh observed the two rivers were polluted because the discharge from households and localities was not treated and subsequently getting deposited into streams and rivers.“Before the water from households is released into the rivers, it should get treated first so that people get clean water,” the minister said.
