Shillong's oldest market cries for facelift

Despite Chief Minister Mukul Sangma announcing steps for Iewduh, nothing has materialised till date

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 27: Iewduh, one of the oldest and sacred markets of the capital city, is yet to witness any facelift even as there were talks of transforming the congested market.

Earlier, during his first ever visit to the age-old market, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had said that he would soon call a meeting of his Cabinet ministers to discuss ways and means to give Iewduh a much-needed facelift while referring to the market as a source of livelihood for many people of Shillong.

The Chief Minister had also said that if cleanliness of Iewduh is maintained, then it will become a centre of attraction for tourists.

However, till date, there is still no sign of any such initiative being taken up by the State government to change the market for the better, be it beautification, cleanliness, congestion, etc.

A person shopping at the market, while speaking to this scribe on the condition of the market, said, “The pitiful condition of this famous market – the slushy footpaths, the unbearable stench, the chaotic appearance and the level of pollution, etc, –  makes me very sad. Concerned authorities, be it Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) or Hima Mylliem, should immediately resolve these issues of the market.”

He further said that the market becomes even more unpleasant when there are heavy rains as it would get extremely muddy.

According to him, a proper draige system was required across the entire market area, especially at the meat market.

Another shopper said, “I dream of a day when Iewduh will become a clean and an orderly place, with adorned footpaths, good draige and sewage system, well constructed shops, patches of green with trees and plants, beautiful parks for children, parking lots for vehicles, etc.”

Last year, a delegation of the Nong Iew Association had also apprised KHADC Chief Executive Member PN Syiem of the chaos and other problems plaguing the market.

At this, the KHADC had assured the delegation that the council will allocate funds from the Special Assistance Scheme (SAS) sanctioned by the Central Government in cleaning the market by repairing the protruding pipelines and maintaining a proper draige system.

However, nothing has been done till date.