Infra devp projects in city leave much to be desired

SHILLONG, Jan 22: Over the past few years, the Meghalaya government has made several announcements about ambitious projects aimed at improving infrastructure and beautifying Shillong. However, the execution of these initiatives remains conspicuously absent.
One glaring example is the petrol pump at Anjalee, dismantled several months ago to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. Despite the demolition, no significant steps have been taken to redevelop the space. It remains fenced off with tin sheets, continuing to obstruct smooth traffic flow.
The government had previously announced plans to redevelop the site, yet months have passed without any visible progress. This stagnation reflects a broader pattern seen in other projects, such as the proposed beautification of Wards Lake, which also remains incomplete.
In stark contrast, neighbouring cities like Guwahati have successfully implemented initiatives such as the introduction of electric buses under the Smart City project. Meanwhile, Shillong has been waiting for over two years since a similar announcement was made.
Projects like the Wahumkhrah Riverfront development, Ward’s Lake beautification, and the Shillong Ropeway have been heralded as transformative, but they remain little more than promises, with no significant groundwork in sight.
The widening gap between announcements and execution has raised questions about the government’s commitment to fulfilling its development agenda, leaving residents and stakeholders increasingly skeptical of its intentions.