Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has presented the blueprint for the Wah Umkhrah waterfront rejuvenation and beautification project.
River Wah Umkhrah flows through the beautiful city of Shillong and has been talked about and having a history of its own and also the surroundings.
The banks of Wah Umkhrah were certainly a patch of beauty.
Unfortunately, the beauty of river Wah Umkhrah vanished during the last decades as people started construction of multi-storeyed buildings extending even right up to the brim of the water of the river.
There are slum dwellers along the banks of the river. Also, people of the capital city of Meghalaya also have the habit of dumping garbage and plastic waste in the river.
Sangma’s initiative, aimed at enhancing the appeal and sustainability of Meghalaya’s urban areas, was unveiled during a recent meeting.
According to the Chief Minister, the project, valued at ₹39 crore, has already been tendered out, and he expected the work to commence soon.
The beautification work would cover the waterfront, including the various structures along the riverside.
Although the project initially focuses on a small section of the river, it signifies a significant beginning, Sangma said.
The Chief Minister highlighted the potential impact of the project on tourism.
Highlighting the challenges ahead of the project, Sangma said, “Unless we make the river clean, no matter how much beautification we do, it is not going to serve the purpose.”
The Meghalaya Chief Minister expressed optimism that the beautification efforts would stimulate broader initiatives for river cleaning and upkeep.
The riverfront beautification project is viewed as a stride towards sustainable urban development in Meghalaya, blending aesthetic enhancements with environmental considerations.
As implementation commences, it will be closely monitored as a potential model for similar initiatives across the state, the Chief Minister claimed.
