By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 9: Urban transformation with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore across Meghalaya’s urban centres such as Shillong, Tura and Jowai, is on the state government’s cards focusing on improving mobility, upgrading amenities, adopting modern planning tools, and strengthening community partnerships; measures expected to bring lasting improvements in the quality of life in these towns and cities.
This was revealed by Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, in his reply to a motion moved by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem on urban infrastructure and sanitation in the Assembly on Tuesday.
According to Dhar, the government’s urban initiatives aim to transform towns and cities into sustainable centres of growth, ensuring that infrastructure development keeps pace with Meghalaya’s urbanisation.
Dhar acknowledged challenges such as congestion, housing shortages, infrastructure gaps, and poor waste management in towns like Shillong, Tura, and Jowai. To address these, the government is promoting sustainable urban development through GIS-based planning, improved transport, and better public spaces.
Under the Infrastructure Development Scheme, Rs 25 crore was allocated in 2024-25 for upgrades in Shillong, Nongstoin, Nongpoh, and Mawkyrwat.
He added that the Online Building Permission System under MUDA is now operational, allowing citizens to apply for and receive building permits digitally. The government is also working to extend the system to the Autonomous District Councils.
Meanwhile, Dhar said the Wah Umkhrah riverfront is being developed as a public space, while New Shillong Township is being planned as the first modern city in the Northeast with tree-lined roads, water supply, and waste management facilities.
To ease congestion, new roads are under construction and 35 modern AC buses are being introduced. Under the PM eBus Sewa scheme, 50 electric buses will be deployed by 2026, supported by a new depot in New Shillong.
The government has also launched the Chief Minister’s Green Taxi Scheme and the Regional Transport Scheme to strengthen public transport.
In Tura, a 10.5 TPD recovery facility has been completed, dumpsite remediation covering 10,000 tons is in progress, and 40% of legacy waste at Rongkhon landfill has been processed under a Rs 5.1 crore project. A 7.5 MLD sewage treatment plant has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 11.35 crore, while Rs 15.06 crore has been spent on drains, roads, and fencing.
In Jowai, a 6 TPD compost plant and a 4 TPD recovery facility are ready, while a 25 MLD sewage treatment plant has been approved at Rs 3.75 crore. The town also received Rs 8.8 crore for roads, drainage, and public facilities.
In Nongpoh, Dhar said a Detailed Project Report worth Rs 5.06 crore has been prepared to transform the non-functional Umshangling waste facility into a sustainable system with up to 95% resource recovery.
On mobility and parking, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Shillong Urban Mobility Policy 2024 and the Meghalaya Parking Policy 2025 have been introduced to promote reliable transport and ease congestion. He said that over 1,500 parking spaces are being developed, while private landowners and Dorbar Shnongs are being encouraged to build facilities with capital grants.
Parking management in Shillong now includes electronic ticket vending and mobile apps, with operations already launched in Mission Compound and Nongrim Hills.
On livelihoods and street vendors, Dhar said a survey of 1,400 street vendors in Shillong has been completed. Of these, 407 vendors from Khyndailad have received vending certificates and were relocated to stalls in the MUDA Parking Lot. Similar relocation initiatives are planned for other localities.
On waste management and sanitation, he informed that the state has adopted a comprehensive Solid Waste Management strategy aligned with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs guidelines. Eight towns have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), while the Shillong and Jowai Municipal Boards have achieved ODF+ status.
He added that Rs 74.93 crore has been approved under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 (Urban) for solid waste action plans, sanitation, and capacity building. In Shillong, a 25 TPD Material Recovery Facility and sanitary landfill project are underway, while biomining of 3.45 lakh metric tons of waste at Marten landfill is 41% complete at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore.
Dhar further stated that faecal sludge management is being strengthened through two operational treatment plants in Shillong, supported by cesspool vehicles. Scheduled desludging will also be introduced across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to ensure regular septic tank cleaning at regulated charges.