Shillong, April 12: Tura MDC Bernard Marak has said smart town projects should not end up becoming dumb town projects due to ignorance and irresponsibility.
“It is observed that hardly 50% work is done and the non-local contractors, architects and designers have manipulated the actual plan of the Town,” Marak said in a statement
He said it is very disappointing to see the ‘Garo Dama” designed as the base for the street lights in Chandmari, Ringre and Araimile are shaped like “kuls”(in picture)
Garo Dama is a traditional drum used in Wangala and kul is small drum used for Christmas but is not originally a Garo drum.
“The architect has made a wrong design and it is a glaring mistake which will remain an eye sore. They didn’t even make an effort to correct the misconception of the designers. It would have been best if the works were given to the local people instead of hiring foreign contractors and designers who have no knowledge of the Garos. These errors will do permanent damage to the town,” he pointed out.
He said it would have been even better if it was handed over to the local development committees instead of the contractors as contractors will do mere 50% compared to committees who would have done 100% work from the amount sanctioned to their localities,” he said.
The BJP leader informed that they have filed RTI queries and are closely monitoring the implementation of the smart town projects so that it does not end up being a dumb project.
“Drum design error is just one of those many mistakes the designers have committed. Public money should not go wasted and contractors should be made accountable to the works done through public money,” Marak added
