Foundation laid for three major development projects in Tura
Shillong, May 22: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday announced that CM Connect Offices will be established across all 56 blocks in the state to bring services closer to the people and reduce dependency on district headquarters.
“We will establish CM Connect Offices in all 56 blocks across the State. Through these offices, people will be able to access different public services, including certificates such as caste certificates and other citizen services. People should not have to travel all the way to district headquarters for basic services,” he said,” he said while laying foundation for three major development projects for Tura town.
The new projects for Tura include Rs 60.76 crore redevelopment of Nazing Bazar area with various components such as a commercial complex with basement truck parking for around 40 trucks, parking for approximately 50 cars, a hotel facility of about 70 beds, a multipurpose banquet hall with a capacity of around 500 persons, nearly 200 shops, and expanded vendor infrastructure designed to double existing market capacity while ensuring no disruption to livelihoods during implementation.
Another project, Rs 51.21-crore multi-level car parking & cinema at Dakopgre, will feature parking for around 200 cars along with three cinema halls of approximately 125 seats each, a gaming zone, and a food court, contributing to improved mobility, increased economic activity, and a “stay longer, spend local” urban experience.
Foundation was also laid for Rs 150-crore refurbishment of SMELC building, including art and culture promenade, museum spaces, kid zone park, CM youth centre and active aging centre for elderly citizens.
The Chief Minister formally unveiled the foundation stones for all the three major urban infrastructure projects.
He also distributed cheques to artists under the Chief Minister Artists Engagement Scheme to support local talent, and launched the Tura Municipal Board Mobile Application to improve civic service delivery and promote digital governance.
GHADC CEM, MDCs, and Tura Municipal Board chairman were among others present on the occasion.
The event further saw the announcement of waste management grading for localities, with certificates and mementos awarded to winning localities for their cleanliness efforts, along with the declaration of locality-wise street lighting projects and distribution of sanction letters for CCTV installations to strengthen public safety and urban infrastructure across Tura.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said explained the functioning of the CM Connect 1971 call centre, saying every citizen’s grievance is recorded, forwarded to the concerned departments, and tracked in real time until resolution.
He said, “The 1971 helpline is a complaint registration and grievance redressal system. Every concern raised by citizens is recorded in the system and forwarded to the concerned officials for redressal. These grievances are expected to be resolved within a specific timeframe, and the entire process is monitored by me in real time through the CM Connect call centre.”
He further informed that the Government is also strengthening direct citizen interaction through CM Connect field programmes, stating, “Apart from the call centre, we are also strengthening direct CM Connect programmes where we engage with people personally and listen to their concerns.”
He added that the Government is moving towards complete digitisation of citizen services to ensure efficiency, speed, and transparency while encouraging citizens to actively contribute solutions to governance challenges.
Referring to Tura’s urban transformation, the Chief Minister said that sustained efforts over the past eight years have already contributed to improving the town, while more work continues ahead.
Under the Chief Minister Artists Engagement Scheme, he said the Government is creating structured opportunities for local artists to enhance public spaces through murals, street art, and coordinated painting works.
On urban cleanliness, he said that the Grading of Localities framework is designed to institutionalise cleanliness as a civic discipline rather than a one-time activity.
He stated that localities are assessed on parameters including waste segregation, dumping control, construction waste management, plastic reduction, street sweeping, wastewater management, community participation, My City Campaign engagement, and overall environmental upkeep.
On urban safety, he announced that a total of 552 LED streetlights with smart control systems will be installed at a cost of Rs 6.51 crore, focusing on dark stretches, markets, pedestrian corridors, and school routes.
He also stated that CCTV surveillance will be strengthened with around 300 units and nearly 500 cameras across Tura, integrated with command and control systems, and made accessible to locality committees to enhance safety, deterrence, and response mechanisms.
The Chief Minister reiterated that CM Connect represents a commitment to accessible and accountable governance, with structured grievance redressal and transparent monitoring.
He shared performance data of the system, noting that West Garo Hills has recorded 7,644 citizen connects with 767 grievances, of which 355 have been resolved and 533 closed. Across the Garo Hills region, 21,992 connects and 2,053 grievances have been recorded, while statewide the platform has registered 69,975 connects and 5,540 grievances, with 2,509 resolved and 3,572 closed.
He said that ultimately, the success of urban transformation will be measured by lived experience, ensuring safety for families, dignity for vendors, opportunities for youth, and collective responsibility in maintaining a clean and functional city.
He further highlighted that the ongoing urban interventions are aligned with Tura’s strategic preparedness for the 39th National Games 2027, positioning the town as a destination for sports, tourism, and economic activity. He said improved infrastructure, clean corridors, walkable districts, and cultural identity-driven design will define the visitor experience during the event and beyond.
Referring to cultural identity, he noted that heritage and Garo ethos remain central to urban development, including the revival of the historic cenotaph in Tura, which will serve as a space of remembrance and civic pride while blending traditional design language with modern infrastructure.
A key highlight of the programme was the CM Connect Session, during which citizens and pre-registered participants raised grievances and developmental concerns directly before the Chief Minister and officials, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to participatory governance and time-bound service delivery.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Superintending Engineer, Urban Affairs, Tura Circle, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, dignitaries, officials, stakeholders, and citizens for their participation and continued cooperation in advancing the urban transformation of Tura and the State.
