With a view to ease traffic congestion in the city the state government is planning to come up with parking spaces in various parts of Shillong for around 700 vehicles by the end of 2024.
An official release from the government said the project is under the “Reimagining Streets Initiative”. It said that with an aim to provide walkable spaces, the government is also planning to develop 12-15 kilometres of footpaths in the city’s under the first phase.
Before these plans can be worked out, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today launched the “My City” Campaign, through a community cleaning drive during which he symbolically participated in a cleaning drive held at Dhanketi.
On the occasion, 12 localities were provided cheques worth Rs 11.75 lakhs for cleanliness and beautification purposes, which includes re-designing of bus-stops, litter-free streets, community cleanliness drives, waste collection, urban landscaping, and other activities to be undertaken.
Addressing a gathering at Moreau Institute of Integral Training (MIIT) at Dhanketi, Sangma said that from now on the government wants that such a cleaning drive should be held every three months.
According to the Chief Minister many villages and localities undertake cleaning drives on their own without any support.
“For the first time the government is taking this culture of ours forward where funds will be provided every three months for this particular purpose,” he said.
Sangma also informed that the government is investing in roads and infrastructure, with projects worth approximately Rs. 520 crore already underway.
Additionally, he informed that the government is planning for administrative and knowledge cities, totalling around Rs. 9,200 crores.
“Let every citizen take the responsibility to ensure that I will not litter my house, my compound, my locality, and my city and my state,” he said.
The Chief Minister also distributed KickStart cheques to different community representatives and also released the Reimagining Streets Initiative Booklet during the occasion.
College students, members of the NCC and NSS, different Dorbar Shnongs and self-help groups were also present during the occasion.