Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned to Shillong on Friday to launch new projects valued at over Rs 1,246 crore. While the government continues to expand infrastructure, many locals remain focused on the Polo Shopping Mall. This six-storey facility, which cost Rs 100.33 crore under the Shillong Smart City Mission, stands empty despite being inaugurated by Sitharaman herself on July 10 last year.
The building features 109 retail shops, office spaces, a gaming zone, and a food court across 1.70 lakh square feet. Despite these amenities, the site has never opened to the public. For many residents, the mall has become a symbol of a problematic development cycle where projects are launched before they are functional. One resident noted, "The irony is unmistakable."
State authorities have struggled to secure tenants for the complex. Multiple tenders have failed to attract bidders, with prospective operators citing high rental costs as a primary barrier. A fresh tender has been issued as the facility approaches its first anniversary without serving a single customer. As new investments are announced for the city, residents hope these future projects will avoid the fate of the Polo Mall and move past being mere ceremonial photo opportunities.
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