Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday laid the foundation for over Rs 150-crore development project for Tura town.
The project includes redevelopment of Nazing Bazar area, which includes car parking, hotel and space for vendor, multi-level car parking and cinema at Dakopgre, which will accommodate 200 cars, cinema halls with three screens, a gaming zone and food court and refurbishment of SMELC building, including art and culture promenade with museum, kid zone park, youth centre and active aging centre.
The programme was attended by CEM, GHADC, MDCs, chairman of Tura Municipal Board J. D. Sangma, senior officials from the Department of Urban Affairs, representatives of local bodies, community leaders, artists and citizens from different localities.
During the programme, the Chief Minister formally unveiled the foundation stones for three major urban infrastructure projects — the redevelopment of Najing Bazar, the multi-level parking and cinema complex at Dakopgre, and the comprehensive renovation of the SMELC Complex.
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.
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.
In his address, the Chief Minister stated that governance must remain public-oriented and rooted in continuous engagement with citizens.
“CM Connect is an idea built around that vision — that every citizen should be able to connect directly with the Government,” he said.
He emphasised that responsive governance depends on structured systems that allow grievances to be registered, monitored and resolved in a time-bound manner.
Announcing a major expansion of citizen service delivery, he said 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.
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.
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.