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Shillong, one of India’s most picturesque hill cities, was selected under the national Smart City Mission with the promise of transforming its ageing infrastructure into a modern, citizen-friendly urban ecosystem. Official reports now claim that the project has achieved 78% physical progress, suggesting that the dream is close to reality.

But on the streets of Shillong, the mood is far more sceptical. Critics, community groups, and everyday residents argue that beneath the glossy percentage lies a troubling question: Has the Smart City project improved the lives of people? Or is the progress only on paper?

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The Official Story: High Progress, New Buildings, Visible Construction

Government data released in 2025 placed the project at 77.81% completion, highlighting several achievements:

• Redevelopment of the Laitumkhrah Municipal Market
• A new commercial complex at Polo with 109 shops
• Construction of multi-level parking facilities
• Smart street and public facility projects
• Outdoor gyms and beautification initiatives across key localities

These projects offer the appearance of rapid development — new structures, new commercial spaces, and a more modern urban aesthetic. The vision outlined by project planners emphasised better traffic management, improved markets, enhanced public spaces, and streamlined civic services.

On paper, Shillong’s Smart City Mission is moving steadily forward.

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The Public Reality: “Still in the Making” and Lacking Essentials

Despite visible construction, public dissatisfaction is widespread. Local reports and citizen voices paint a picture of incomplete transformation:

1. Outdated Core Infrastructure

Shillong’s water supply system still relies on 19th-century pipelines. Chronic issues like low pressure, irregular supply, and outdated drainage systems continue unchanged — even though water and sanitation should form the backbone of any Smart City framework.

2. Prioritising Malls and Markets Over Basic Needs

Residents argue the project has become construction-heavy and people-light. Instead of focusing on essential, long-term urban challenges like:

• Sustainable waste management
• Efficient public transport
• Sewage and drainage systems
• Affordable housing
• Climate-resilient planning

the city has seen more shopping complexes, kiosks, commercial spaces, and beautification works. These may boost local commerce but do little to improve daily living conditions.

3. Abandoned or Faulty Projects

One of the biggest red flags was the abandonment of a major smart-road project, which had already consumed significant funds before being scrapped. For many citizens, this symbolised deeper issues: poor planning, weak execution, and lack of accountability.

4. National Ranking: Among Worst Performers

A 2025 national evaluation placed Shillong among the 10 worst-performing Smart Cities in India, reinforcing concerns that the progress figures don’t match functional outcomes.

5. Lack of Public Consultation

Many residents feel that the project was designed without meaningful community involvement, a common criticism in top-down urban development. Environmental concerns, flooding risks, walkability, and green space preservation were reportedly overlooked.

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Why the “78% Progress” Metric Can Be Misleading

The Smart City Mission measures physical completion, not actual impact. This means:

• A building may be complete, but not beneficial to most residents
• A parking lot counts as progress, even if traffic remains chaotic
• A market redesign may look modern, but core services remain unchanged
• Cancelled or abandoned projects don’t affect the percentage
• Quality-of-life improvements are not directly measured

In short, the 78% figure reflects construction, not transformation.

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What a Truly Smart Shillong Would Look Like

For many observers, the Smart City Mission will only succeed when the following are prioritised:

1. Reliable Water Supply & Modern Drainage

Replacing the century-old system is essential to solving recurring shortages and monsoon flooding.

2. Efficient Solid & Liquid Waste Management

Shillong still lacks a comprehensive, modern waste processing system.

3. Public Transport & Traffic Solutions

Smart mobility — not just more parking — is crucial to decongest the city.

4. Affordable and Inclusive Urban Housing

Development must serve all income groups, not only commercial interests.

5. Environmental Protection & Green Spaces

A hill city needs eco-sensitive planning to remain resilient to climate shocks.

6. Transparent Governance & Citizen Participation

Residents want clear timelines, audits, and opportunities to shape the city’s future.

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A City Partially Smart, But Not Smart Enough

Shillong’s Smart City project is not a total failure — but neither is it the transformative model it was meant to be. The progress reported reflects buildings, parking spaces, and beautification works, but not necessarily better everyday living.

Essential infrastructure remains outdated. Environmental and social priorities were sidelined. Public trust continues to erode as projects stall or get cancelled.

The Smart City dream for Shillong is alive but fragile — a city modernising in patches, but still waiting for the kind of development that truly feels “smart” to the people who live there.

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