By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 28: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has expressed frustration over the current state of Shillong’s Smart City initiative, stating that while “Smart City” boards are visible across the city, there is little evidence of real development at the ground level.
“You are talking about a smart city and placing ‘Smart City’ boards everywhere, yet nothing is happening on the ground. This is ridiculous. If we’re discussing a smart city, where are the interventions? What improvements are being made?” questioned UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh. “You talk about drains, civic amenities, congestion, pollution, and so many issues, but what actions are being taken?”
He continued, “Money is coming from the Centre for this project, but all we see are signs and no substantial progress. It’s unthinkable.”
Mawthoh criticised the lack of a comprehensive approach, saying, “We’re not addressing this from a holistic perspective. Instead, we’re attempting to handle issues piecemeal, which is not effective. A smart city demands a cohesive and integrated plan; it can’t be like this. We need substantial improvements if we’re serious about achieving ‘Smart City’ status.”
Pointing to everyday urban issues, he added, “You talk about a smart city, yet there are potholes everywhere, and road construction drags on for months with minimal repairs. Drainage is poorly managed. What kind of smart city are we aiming for?”
According to Mawthoh, Shillong, a well-known hill station and state capital, needs targeted interventions to maintain its aesthetic appeal. “If we fail to adopt the right approaches, there’s little to be proud of,” he observed. “What’s the purpose of these Smart City boards if nothing is changing on the ground? It’s not about sporadic construction projects here and there — that approach doesn’t work. If we’re discussing urban governance and administration, this is where we need to focus our efforts. Effective urban governance and administration are prerequisites for planning, especially if we’re serious about the smart city concept,” he stressed.
Highlighting the importance of urban planning, Mawthoh said, “We need strategic planning for Shillong, New Shillong Township, and the other growing urban areas across the state. This is crucial not just for Shillong, but also for the emerging towns and centres in Meghalaya’s districts.”
He also questioned the outlook for other towns. “What about Jowai, Nongstoin, Mawkyrwat, and Nongpoh? Do we want them to follow Shillong’s urban issues? That’s why we must emphasise proper urban governance and administration.”
The UP leader explained that urbanisation brings growing demands for waste management, electricity, water, and civic amenities, all of which should be considered. “When they talk about a smart city, what do they mean? Urban living needs to improve, but we aren’t seeing tangible results.”
“To address these issues, it’s not enough to build a few structures here and there. We need to strengthen urban governance and administration and strictly enforce existing laws,” he concluded.