To reduce traffic congestion in Shillong, the State government will introduce a “pool school bus system” with a fleet size of around 100 mini-buses.
This was announced by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma while presenting the budget today. He said a fleet of electric buses for public transport in Shillong city will also be introduced and the government is budgeting Rs 20 crore to improve mobility in the city.
Under the infrastructure for urban rejuvenation, Sangma also announced that the allocation for the Shillong Smart City project has been increased from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
“It is being funded on a 50:50 basis by the Government of India and the State government,” he said.
In addition to the smart city projects, the State government has also initiated the construction of a business, cultural and tourism centre at Khyndailad, Shillong at a cost of Rs 216 crore and the government has also procured 807 acres of land at Mawpdang in East Khasi Hills with a vision to construct a new planned administrative city and other economic infrastructure.
He also informed that the Tura-Smart Town project has already been initiated and under it the upgradation of internal roads and the beautification of junctions are underway. During 2022-23, works will start for the construction for the state-of-the-art Integrated
Hospitality and Convention Centre at Rs 52 crore. Projects related to the beautification of additional junctions, installation of street lights, and solid waste management will be taken up at Rs 20 crore, he said, adding, under this the government will allocate an additional Rs 10 crore for the Jowai smart town project.
