The United Democratic Party (UDP) has asked the state government to ensure that infrastructural works undertaken in the New Shillong Township (NST) are thoroughly regulated to avoid past mistakes of rapid urbanisation.
“The city of Shillong has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years, and with the growth, the problems have also emerged. When we talk about traffic congestion, pollution, civic amenities and many things relating to urban governance and administration, we are having huge problems,” said UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh.
Talking about the NST, he said, “We also have to keep in mind what is happening in Shillong; a similar fate should not befall the township. From now on, we have to think about what type of construction is going on following building rules and regulations so that new Shillong will not be like old Shillong.”
“All these laws and regulations are in place, and they should be properly enforced. If we do not do this now, then it is going to be very difficult for new Shillong; it is going to follow the same fate as we are experiencing in old Shillong,” he added. “We have to be careful about that, and right from the beginning, we have to ensure that no illegal construction is there, proper following of building rules and regulations, proper construction should be there.”
The UDP is part and parcel of the governing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance but Mawthoh is not in government as he is not a legislator.
Mawthoh also reminded the state government of the numerous requests made to address the problem of traffic congestion seriously.
“Time and again, we have given our suggestions to the government, and I hope this time the government takes the matter very seriously because we cannot continue like this. If we continue like this, we do not know what is going to happen in the next five years,” Mawthoh said.
Citing his personal experience, he said, “I was stuck in a huge jam for almost two and a half hours in the heart of the city, which is a big loss in working hours. If we multiply the population going to work, the loss in hours is huge.”
His other suggestions include terminal points where vehicles from other districts would stop outside Shillong, with only those specifically allowed to enter the city doing so; better public transportation; coordination between government departments for construction on public roads; identifying school catchment areas to reduce the commuting of students; increase the speed of shifting government offices to the NST.
