SHILLONG, Aug 17: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who is also the minister in charge of Urban Affairs, has defended the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government over Shillong being named among the 10 worst-performing smart cities in the country.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Dhar denied that the implementation of Smart City projects was poor. He, however, admitted that the implementation of the smart road project is slow since the project is being implemented in a convergence mode with several line departments.
He said he would soon call a meeting of the officials and would even inspect the ongoing projects.
The minister was quick to add that projects like construction of the markets in Polo and Laitumkhrah were making satisfactory progress. “Our of eight Smart City project, most are nearing completion,” he said.
Talking about the delay in smart roads, Dhar said shifting of utilities was posing tremendous challenge as several components were involved.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) had placed Shillong among the 10 worst performers in terms of implementing smart city projects.
The nine other worst performers are Aizawl, Amaravati, Diu, Greater Warangal, Guwahati, Imphal, Kavaratti, Port Blair, and Puducherry.
According to a MoHUA report, only one out of 96 Shillong Smart City projects has been completed. The projects are worth Rs 1,039 crore.
A total of Rs 349 crore was sanctioned in February for implementing the smart city project in Shillong.
