Shillong, Nov 23: The Estimates Committee of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has expressed satisfaction over the progress of various development projects taken up under Shillong Smart City Project in different parts of Shillong.
A delegation of the committee led by its chairman Mayralborn Syiem, who is also MLA of Nongpoh constituency, conducted an inspection of the several key Smart City projects.
Expressing satisfaction with the overall progress of the projects, Syiem also acknowledged challenges faced by the implementing agencies, including relocation of utilities and shopkeepers. However, he asserted that the projects are on track to provide significant benefits to the people of Shillong.
One of the major projects inspected by the team was construction and redevelopment of the municipal market at Laitumkhrah at the cost of ₹28.84 crore.
They visited the site of development of office-cum-automated multi-level car parking facility at Mawkhar, a project designed to address parking challenges to a great extent in Shillong.
The ₹100-crore commercial complex coming up at Polo was also inspected by the team comprising other committee members – Adelbert Nongrum (North Shillong MLA), Remington Gabil Momin (Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA), Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai MLA), and Miani D Shira (Ampati MLA), along with officials from Assembly Secretariat, PWD (Roads) and Urban Affairs department.
At Police Bazar, the committee reviewed construction of the ₹211-crore Shillong Business-cum-Tourism and Cultural Centre, a landmark project envisioned to boost tourism and cultural exchanges.
The inspection concluded with a visit to the sites of rainwater harvesting systems being developed in different parts of the city to enhance water management.
They also examined the development of smart roads in various parts of the city, which are intended to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
Referring to the advanced stage of the project at Polo, the chairman said it should be completed within the time schedule.
The initiatives at Laitumkhrah and Motphran are expected to ease congestion and improve parking facilities, he said.
The committee will submit a report outlining its findings and recommendations in due course.