Government ready with Shillong Master Plan

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 19: Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today said that the Shillong Master Plan (SMP) includes the Shillong Municipality, Shillong Cantonment, Madanrting, Mawlai, Nongthymri, Pynthorumkhrah and 32 neighbouring villages.

These 32 villages included in the SMP are-Mawklot, Lawsohtun, Sixth mile Upper Shillong, Fifth mile Upper Shillong, Fourth mile Upper Shillong, three and a half mile Upper Shillong, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Nongmynsong, Nongrah, Rynjah, Umpling, Mawpat, Itshyrwat, Mawtawar, Mawkynroh, Mawlynrei, Mawshbuit, Nongumlong, Laitkor, Nongpiur, Nongkhlaw, Lyngkien- Mawpat, Maw-diang-diang, Madan Saisiej, Mawkasiang, Siejiong, Tynring, Mawpdang, Umphyri, Mawlyngad and Mawlong.

“Prior permission of the MUDA would be necessary for construction of buildings within the Master Plan Area and MUDA has published official gazette notification as well as has been informing the public through newspapers from time to time about the requirements of building permission,” Lyngdoh said during the Question Hour today.

When Leader of Opposition, Dr Donkupar Roy sought to know what is the response of the villagers and village authorities on having to obtain building permission, the Urban Affairs Minister informed that 57 applications has been processed by the MUDA from outside the municipal area.

According to the Minister, applicants taking loans from the banks to construct a house have to mandatorily have necessary permission from the MUDA before their application for loan is processed.

Meanwhile, UDP legislator from Shillong West, Paul Lyngdoh pointed out that the 57 applications for building permission from outside the Municipal Area is a meager number. Paul sought to know what steps the department is contemplating to take to ensure cent per cent compliance, the Urban Affairs Minister said that the MUDA in areas under its jurisdiction was serious to make all comply with the building by-laws.