Shillong, Jan 25: An entrance gate and a wall constructed near the football ground at Urkaliar in East Khasi Hills was inaugurated by deputy commissioner RM Kurbah on Saturday.
The project was taken up with ₹4.6 lakh sanctioned under Locality Beautification and Enhancement Competition Programme to Urkalair Dorbar Shnong in October 2024.
The programme was launched in 2021 by chief minister Conrad Sangma to rejuvenate the localities and towns, boost community tourism, empower community institutions, instil a sense of civic pride among residents.
The project at Urkalair bears significance in view of the erstwhile site turning out to be a dumping zone and frequented by many anti-social elements.
The district authorities have also an objective of protecting the water and forest resources by the work taken up at Urkaliar.
Inaugurating the entrance gate and wall, the DC congratulated the Dorbar Shnong Urkaliar and urged the citizens of nearby localities including, Nongmensong, Demseiniong, Umpling and the Military Engineering Services (MES), to work together to protect the water resources from becoming dumping zones.
The government is committed in promoting river rejuvenation initiatives and fight against drugs, she said while urging all stakeholders to take collective responsibility to make the localities clean, healthy and safe.
She particularly mentioned about secretary shnong Samkhamti Diengdoh for his sense of ownership in the project.
“Although we had administrative hurdles since the land is a disputed, we appreciate the efforts of all parties concerned like Dorbar Shnong Urkaliar, private land owners and Headquarter 101 Area for joining hands to protect our rivers,” the DC said.
This project will also keep this place is free from anti-social elements, who engage in illegal activities particularly drugs and alcohol abuse, she said.
