Determined to implement Smart city project: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that the state government has taken up the Shillong smart city project despite knowing the challenges the 50:50 funding pattern poses.

Replying during the question hour, Conrad said that the state government was determined to implement the smart city project.

“The government has made a general policy of 50:50 funding pattern but the northeast and other special category states needs special consideration,” the Chief Minister told the House even as he assured the Meghalaya Assembly that the state government was working on the matter.

“We realise that land is an issue, funding is an issue but we are up to the challenge,” he said.

Conrad stated that the Smart City Project was a very prestigious project for the state and before accepting the project for Shillong, the government faced ambiguity of whether to lose it (due to the funding pattern) or take it up.

“There are challenges. We have to do whatever it takes to make Shillong a smart city,” he said. The Chief Minister also stated that there is possibility of taking up the project on a PPP or BOT mode.

Conrad also pointed out that there are many smart cities in the country which are not able to fulfill the 50:50 ratio of the government of India. However, Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh pointed out that there have been bitter experiences in the PPP model even as she asked the state Urban Affairs Minister, Hamletson Dohling to ensure that guidelines are first put in place so that PPP mode do not keep failing since government assets are at stake.