Reacting to the howls of protest over an idea to construct a shopping mall at Barik Point in the state capital, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said that the government has to balance aesthetics with commercial concerns.
Commentators and civil society groups have raised objections to an idea mooted by members of the government to turn the Public Works Department office in Barik Point into a shopping mall, thereby rejecting a proposal (earlier supported by the government) to transform the area into a public park.
“The government has assets and we feel that they need to be used in the best possible manner, balancing out the aesthetics and getting the best commercially so that revenue can be generated,” Sangma said.
He added that the government needs to improve the overall look of the city while extracting maximum value of properties with commercial potential.
“We will work towards ensuring that a balance is always maintained,” the CM said.
