The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has asked the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to ensure proper lighting and cleanliness at the parking lot in Khlieh Ïewduh here.
This was stated by KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem to media persons after a joint inspection of Ïewduh along with the officials of the district administration, Hima Mylliem, police, officials from MUDA and headmen from areas adjacent to Ïewduh-Motphran, etc. The inspection of Ïewduh was with an objective to address the issues of public safety and security at the market and cleanliness.
“We know the rising menace of drugs in the city and this is the reason that we have asked the officials from MUDA to address the issue at the parking lot within a month by setting up of proper lighting, etc so that people feel safe to go there and no untoward incident occurs,” Syiem said adding that the officials from MUDA have informed that a lighting project under Smart City will start by September to address the issue at the parking lot.
He also said that the KHADC will write to the MUDA to put in place strict procedures and rules to be followed by those who are taking care of the Khlieh Ïewduh parking lot.
Syiem also said that the KHADC has received many complaints regarding the dirty condition of the four-storey parking lot.
He also said that during today’s inspection, it was found that there are some floors at the parking lot which are filled with filth and garbage besides being dark because of which the place has also become a haven for all illicit activities.
Syiem also said that most of the CCTV cameras and solar lamps installed at Iewduh are no longer functional. He said that the KHADC will try to resolve the issue through funding from the 15th Finance Commission.
On the cleanliness aspect, Syiem said that under the KHADC Solid Waste Management Act 2020, rules have been framed and 19 garbage trucks have been released to address the waste problem in various areas.
He informed that the KHADC would soon provide two more garbage trucks to Hima Mylliem to collect the waste at Ïewduh.
“I also appeal to the public, the traders and shopkeepers who come to this place not to litter but to treat Ïewduh as their own and keep it clean,” Syiem said, adding that KHADC would tie up with companies for setting up a waste processing plant.
On the rampant theft cases at Ïewduh, he said that they will enhance policing in various junctions of the market.
On the non-tribal street vendors operating on the Bimola-Bata stretch, he said that KHADC officials have been directed to find out whether the vendors have any trading license.