By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 13: Police Bazar, the heart of Shillong, is likely to get a swanky business-cum-tourism centre 10 months from now, officials said.
The centre comprising two five-floor buildings will have a connecting bridge with a restaurant on it. The project is expected to be commissioned by May 2025.
The buildings will have more than 90 shops, a food court, a children’s gaming zone, an art gallery, a performing arts centre, a convention centre, a tourism facilitation centre, a lounge, sit-outs, and an auditorium.
Meghalaya Urban Development Authority officials said the project started in March 2022 and is being implemented by Badri Rai and Company.
They said the work was hampered for a long time as the tenants who were operating in the old MTC building went to court. About 60% of the land was cleared and handed over to the contractor in September 2023.
The contractor has reportedly been facing some difficulties in completing the project as the concrete work can be done only during the night and the movement of vehicles is not possible in the area during the day.
The project, worth Rs 211 crore, is being funded jointly by Smart City Shillong and HUDCO.
MUDA officials said 90% of the structural work has been completed with flooring, internal plastering, installation of lifts, and electrical and plumbing work remaining. The building will be centrally air-conditioned with six escalators and six lifts. The façade work is of structural glazing and the buildings will have a multilevel stack parking, an official said. The design of the project has been vetted by IIT Delhi.
Urban Affairs Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar had earlier announced that the people will see a new Police Bazar in a year with the inauguration of this “iconic” project.