SHILLONG, Sep 2: Even as the Urban Affairs department is finalising a blueprint on the relocation of the 342 families from Harijan Colony to the existing quarters of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) on the Bishop Cotton Road, the state government is planning to construct a shopping mall and a hawkers’ market at the site once it is vacated.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong disclosed the government’s plans on Friday.
He said it is a big achievement and breakthrough for the government that it managed to convince the Syiem of Hima Mylliem to hand over the entire plot to it. Initially, it was only a stretch for which an agreement was signed with the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and the SMB.
Tynsong said the Urban Affairs department will have to engage experts for the preparation of the DPR and the design for the two projects. He said the government’s idea is to construct a modern shopping mall with a well-organized section for hawkers.
Earlier, he appreciated the Syiem of Hima Mylliem for agreeing to the government’s proposal to hand over the entire plot to the government.
The Harijan Panchayat Committee is waiting for the blueprint. After receiving it, the committee will hold consultations with the families concerned and announce its decision.
According to its earlier statements, the colony is spread over an area of 3.33 acres.
It was learnt the government may call the committee for discussions by the end of this month after the Urban Affairs department submits the details pertaining to drawings and estimates for the construction of the dwelling units, measuring around 2.5 acres, on the SMB premises on the Bishop Cotton Road.
The government earlier had plans to construct a shopping complex on the PWD complex at Barik Point but the proposal was vehemently opposed by civil society groups. Currently, some commercial complexes are under construction in Polo and Khyndai Lad.
