By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 13: Infrastructure development at the proposed New Shillong Township and Knowledge City is progressing steadily, though establishing efficient connectivity between the existing city and the new township remains a significant challenge for the state government.
A visit to the site reveals substantial progress on the internal road network. Several stretches, including the link from Ummir to Diengpasoh, have been developed into four-lane roads equipped with street lighting and bicycle tracks.
However, bridging the 8-9 kilometre gap between Mawdiangdiang and Ummir to link the New Shillong Township with the Knowledge City remains a priority. To facilitate this, the state government is acquiring land in and around Tynring, Mawkasiang, Mawdiangdiang, Umsawli, Saisiej, Mawlong, and Mawkhanu.
The Knowledge City, being built on 808 acres at Mawkhanu-Mawpdang, will focus on sports, IT, tourism, and agro-logistics.
Within the New Shillong Township, the road leading to the NIFT campus and IT Park has been widened and resurfaced. While the IT Park and Integrated Command and Control Centre are operational, construction is underway for the second phase of the IT Park and a new parade ground. Work on the new Secretariat is also progressing, with existing roads being expanded to four lanes.
Despite these internal developments, the primary hurdle remains the narrow access route from old Shillong. While the government has planned a four-lane project connecting Polo to the New Shillong Township to ease congestion, land acquisition in the heart of the city continues to be a major obstacle.
