Shillong, Sept 10, 2025: The Shillong Smart City Mission came under sharp scrutiny in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Wednesday as Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit questioned the government’s priorities, sparking a debate with Urban Affairs Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Basaiawmoit argued that the original objectives of the Smart City project—improving healthcare, education, public services, safety, and the environment—were being sidelined in favour of commercial complexes. He demanded details of projects implemented under the Mission, including the locations and costs of open-air gyms and the status of the Polo commercial complex.
He pressed the government on why the Polo complex had not been operationalised, how many shops it would house, and whether quality audits had been conducted for the works claimed to be completed.
Responding, Dhar admitted that the tendering process for the complex had faced hurdles. The government had first attempted to lease the building to a single bidder but received no response. It is now considering floor-wise or shop-wise tendering to maximise participation.
“Since this is a commercial project funded by both the Centre and the State, we must ensure maximum revenue generation through a transparent process,” Dhar said. He added that the commercial complex formed only one component of the Smart City Mission, with revenues to be reinvested into livelihood and development programmes.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, supplementing Dhar’s reply, clarified that the Mission was a comprehensive programme covering smart roads, IT-based facilities, public amenities, and environmental initiatives, in addition to commercial infrastructure.
“While it may appear that the focus is on commercial complexes, the broader vision of the Smart City Mission is to enhance the quality of life of citizens. Revenue from such projects will support healthcare, education, and employment initiatives,” Sangma told the House.
The Chief Minister assured that several projects, including smart roads, playgrounds, and open-air gyms, had already been completed or were nearing completion.
