By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 15: The Meghalaya government announced several infrastructure projects for Shillong but their execution remains a distant prospect although several months have elapsed since.
Last year, the government announced the construction of Shillong ropeway project but no tender for it has been floated yet.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh recently said the tendering process for the Rs 140-crore project may start by August, followed by the commencement of the work by the year-end.
Two months ago, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma made an announcement regarding the construction of a world-class skywalk from Barik point to Police Bazar. No information is available when the project work will start.
As regards the construction of smart roads under the Shillong Smart City project, the work started just before Assembly elections for one of the roads in Lachumiere. However, after the elections were over, the pace of work has slowed down significantly. The residents are now complaining about waterlogging after rainfall.
Some of them alleged they have been forced to park their vehicles elsewhere as it is difficult to even walk in the area.
For the past few years, there were talks that the condition of road junctions would be improved under the Smart City project. The work has begun only in the Fire Brigade junction.
Some of the junctions identified for beautification include Barik, Civil (Hospital), IGP, DC’s office, Governor’s House, Dhankheti, Don Bosco junctions and Police Bazar roundabout.
The government’s promise that electric buses would be introduced in the city soon continues to be a mere dream.
The road expansion in Upper Shillong has been delayed for several years. The work started and then, was abandoned by the contractor. Traffic jam is common on this stretch of the road.
