Shillong’s stalled urban revamp hinges on Rajnath’s move to unlock defence land
SHILLONG, June 21: Shillong’s long-stalled urban makeover and the volatile Them Iew Mawlong relocation plan now rest with the Union Defence Ministry, following a push by the state BJP to unlock military-held land and freeze spiralling cantonment rents.
In a meeting with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to the city, a state BJP delegation led by president Rikman Momin identified the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as the primary gatekeeper for three of the city’s most critical bottlenecks: the relocation of the Harijan Colony, the Barik-Jhalupara road expansion, and the cantonment rent crisis.
The delegation urged Singh to facilitate the transfer of land required to finally move the Dalit Sikh community from Them Iew Mawlong to a proposed site within the cantonment area. Momin highlighted the sensitivity of the issue, noting that a resolution is essential for state stability and to address a long-standing demand of the tribal community. The relocation has been a flashpoint since the 2018 unrest, with a High-Level Committee yet to secure a breakthrough due to land-sharing complexities.
Parallel to the relocation, the BJP pushed for the MoD to approve land acquisition for the expansion of the Barik Point to Jhalupara road stretch. Shillong City BJP president Bob Lyngdoh emphasized that the project is vital for easing the city’s chronic traffic congestion but remains stuck awaiting the Ministry’s clearance.
The delegation also brought the “kitchen-table crisis” of cantonment residents to the Minister’s attention. BJP state vice-president Bipen Pradhan flagged the delayed implementation of building bye-laws and a new policy pending since 2017.
The delay, coupled with the introduction of the Standard Table of Rents (STR), has led to a massive spike in land rents for residents. Pradhan warned that the lack of a clear policy is inviting legal disputes and widespread public resentment.
Responding to the presentation, Rajnath Singh stated that the matters would be examined and discussed with the relevant authorities. While the Minister offered the standard assurance of looking into the issues, the state BJP has framed the intervention as a necessary step for the “larger interest of the state” ahead of the next phase of urban planning.
