Shillong, Aug 25: The Wahumkhrah Riverfront Development Project in Shillong has come under criticism with the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF), expressing serious doubts about the project’s ability to meet its goals, citing a lack of visible progress nearly a year after its formal launch.
The Rs 39 crore project aims to reclaim and beautify the Wahumkhrah River, which has been plagued by pollution, encroachment, and neglect.
Despite its promise, the project has been marred by delays, with only six months left on its official timeline.
The GTF raised concerns about funding transparency, pointing out that this is not the first time the government has invested in cleaning up the Wahumkhrah. Previous allocations include Rs 51.73 crore in 2021 for Faecal Sludge & Septage Management (FSSM) and Rs 16 lakh in 2020 for cleanup efforts during the city’s food festival.
GTF Chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang said that the Wahumkhrah’s condition is being exploited for financial gain. While the river is used as a backdrop for successive clean-up projects and budget announcements, he said the actual improvements have been negligible.
The GTF has vowed to monitor the project closely for the remaining six months of its deadline.
