Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday inaugurated the Nehru Ading Locality Beautification Project at Hawakhana in Tura, West Garo Hills.
The programme was organised by the Nehru Ading Development and Welfare Committee at the Old Church Compound in Nehru Ading, where the chief minister unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the completion of the locality improvement initiative.
Community leaders, residents and members of the committee attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said he was pleased to visit the locality for the first time in his official capacity and noted that gradual development was taking place in Tura, though more work remained to be done.
He said multiple development projects worth more than Rs. 700 crore are currently being implemented to improve infrastructure and services in Tura town.
Highlighting projects under the Smart Cities Mission, the chief minister said Rs. 60 crore has been allocated for paving internal roads across different localities in the town.
He added that Rs. 15 crore has already been spent in the first phase for street lighting and beautification works, while another Rs. 15 crore has been sanctioned for the beautification of Tura Bazar.
Sangma also spoke about the ongoing city beautification drive, under which surveillance cameras and streetlights are being installed across Tura.
He said about 350 CCTV cameras and 500 streetlights are being set up as part of the initiative. In Nehru Ading locality specifically, four CCTV cameras and six streetlights have been installed.
Emphasising the importance of civic responsibility, the chief minister urged residents to maintain cleanliness and help preserve the improvements made in the area.
Referring to examples from Japan, he said civic discipline and community participation are key to maintaining public spaces.
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During the interaction session, residents raised several local concerns, including the need for a community hall, additional beautification support, and construction of a boundary wall for Hawakhana Government L.P. School along with renovation of the school building.
Community members also highlighted concerns over drug-related activities at Jerusalem Junction, which they said had become a point for distribution and consumption.
The need for water connectivity at a local SSA school was also brought to the Chief Minister’s attention.
Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by Cameron N. Sangma, president of the Nehru Ading Development and Welfare Committee, followed by an invocation prayer by Evie Pamade R. Marak, Assistant Pastor of HBC Tura.
A briefing on the beautification project was presented by committee secretary Melvilline R. Momin.
Representatives of the committee also submitted a memorandum outlining local development priorities.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Andy Tengsak R. Marak.
