Shillong, 12th March 2024: Four new projects for urban areas of Shillong have been launched by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday that includes Beautification of the biggest market in the state-Iewduh, Ward’s Lake and a new technological wonder of Mechanised Multi Level car parkings to ease congestion of the city roads.
The chief minister laid the base for the four projects at a special program held at Ward’s Lake.
The four projects are Development of Commercial Building at Polo Junction, Mechanised Multi-Level Car Parking at Vivekananda Road, Near Additional Secretariat and Polo Commercial Complex, Beautification of Iewduh Market and Improvement and Beautification of Five Lakes in the State and the Ward’s Lake Promenade.
The chief minister said that the government has an ambitious vision to transform the capital city of Shillong into a modern and liveable city and give it the importance it deserves while working towards decongestion the city.
On the beautification of Iewduh Market, the Chief Minister said, “This is something we have been thinking about and working on so that the market is beautified and the infrastructures is improved to facilitate a better traction of tourists and our own citizens visiting the market.”
At a cost of Rs 15 Crore, the project aims to revamp and transform the oldest traditional and indigenous market. The project components include realignment of pipelines, construction of utility ducts, construction of public toilets, waste collection vehicles and bins, lighting provisions and beautification of buildings creating a vibrant, functional and accessible space that will benefit sellers, customers and tourists alike.
On the Beautification of Ward’s Lake and the Ward’s Lake Promenade the Chief Minister said that as a part of the project a stretch of 1.5-2 kms opposite the Ward’s Lake would be developed including shops, vending and hawking zones, parking area and restaurants to enhance tourist experience, stimulate local businesses besides serving as a social hub for people to interact.
He also outlined other initiatives in the pipeline for beautification of Ward’s Lake that include cleaning of the lake water, laser show, amphitheatre, water fountain etc. “Ward’s Lake has a great potential not only for tourists but for its citizens also but we have not explored it to the maximum,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said that a major focus of the government is to address the issue of congestion and traffic in Shillong city.
“While we have a large scale master plan of decongesting the city by moving offices to the new administrative city and the knowledge city, we are working everyday on small things that will make a difference and the Foundation Stone we have laid today for Mechanised Multi-Level Car Parking is a step towards it,’ he said.
He also informed that the Project Cost is approximately 90 Cr with a capacity of 465 parking spaces.
Five lakes of the state namely Ward’s Lake, Malse Lake, Nirman Jheel, Memo Lake in Williamnagar and Rangjokram Lake in Resubelpara is also to be beautified and cleaned, announced Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
The project will include cleaning, development of peripheral infrastructural amenities and facilities and construction of embankment.
The Chief Minister also highlighted some of the projects underway and in the pipeline for the overall decongestion, development and beautification of Shillong city.
