Despite govt promises, PB continues to suffer

SHILLONG, June 25: Despite the state government’s announcement of revamping Police Bazaar within a year, the situation in the city’s heart continues to worsen.
Police Bazaar, known for its fancy eateries, hotels, clubs, and bustling activities, remains a favourite destination for tourists visiting Meghalaya. However, the area suffers from severe congestion, with vehicles clogging the streets from morning until evening, forcing pedestrians to navigate through the traffic.
The tiles laid in the area 10-12 years ago are now broken and are in a dilapidated state, with no government agency addressing the issue.
Over a year ago, the state government had expressed its intention to remove hawkers and transform the area into a pedestrian zone. Yet, the number of hawkers has only increased, turning the area into a noisy marketplace.
Further, evenings near Khyndai Lad reveal the presence of sex workers, causing many families to avoid the stretch connecting Police Bazaar with Wards Lake.
Even the road linking Keating Road with Khyndai Lad has broken footpaths and is crowded with parked taxis, leaving little space for pedestrians.
Despite these issues, the government has promised a transformative facelift for the Police Bazaar area, with plans for a new business-cum-tourism centre under the Shillong Smart City initiative.