SHILLONG, July 13: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has urged the Meghalaya government to conduct thorough scientific studies before proceeding with its proposed plan to develop the Wahumkhrah riverfront into a tourist attraction.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh argued that without a solid research-backed foundation, the project risks becoming a costly misadventure.
He cautioned that the government’s aim of transforming the riverfront into a tourism site appears “over ambitious”.
Myrboh raised serious questions about the project’s feasibility, citing a lack of clarity regarding the exact stretch of river to be developed and legal hurdles faced by past eviction drives.
He warned that reckless spending based on idealistic dreams may lead to wastage of public resources and urged the government to be cautious and fully aware of the practical and legal complexities involved.
The VPP recommended that the government should undertake comprehensive scientific research to ensure the project’s viability and effectiveness. The party’s concerns are that development plans should be grounded in data, legality, and environmental realities, rather than lofty aspirations that ignore on-ground challenges.
The Meghalaya government is planning a development project worth Rs 39-49 crore along the Wah Umkhrah riverfront to transform it into a key tourist destination.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma recently announced that work for development of the riverfront has already been sanctioned and construction is currently under way which also includes upgrading the sports complex area at Polo and development of new infrastructure on adjacent land, he said.
