Shillong, May 14: The CM Connect – Public Consultative Meet was today organised by the Department of Urban Affairs in collaboration with the Shillong Municipal Board.
The forum aimed to foster better communication between the government and citizens of Shillong.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma along with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and several community leaders attended the programme.
In his address, the chief minister stressed the importance of governance being responsive and adaptive. He stated, “A true democracy can only function when the government remains connected to its citizens.”
The CM Connect initiative, he explained, emerged from the necessity for structured and continuous citizen engagement.
The Chief Minister acknowledged various urban challenges faced by Shillong, such as waste management and civic infrastructure. He urged citizens to engage constructively, emphasising that collaboration is essential for effective service delivery.
He expressed optimism that collective efforts can lead to cleaner and better-planned Shillong.
The deputy chief minister said the success of CM Connect reflects strong participation from citizens, especially youth, and close collaboration between government departments, traditional institutions, and community leaders.
Dhar reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive development and highlighted the ongoing efforts in urban infrastructure, tourism, and related sectors. He noted that while the results of such initiatives may take time to be visible, the government is dedicated to fostering sustainable urban transformation.
He called for collective effort to build cleaner, well-planned, and attractive towns and cities, promoting not only the state’s natural beauty but also its development and available opportunities.
During the programme, the Chief Minister’s Artist Engagement Scheme was formally launched, which aims to promote cultural expression through public art by engaging local artists to create murals and street art across the state. Mobilisation advance cheques of ₹20,000 each were distributed to selected artists.
A locality grading initiative was also introduced by the Shillong Municipal Board in collaboration with the PM Upliftment of Urban Bodies programme. The framework evaluates localities based on cleanliness, waste management, and environmental practices.
Top-performing localities were recognised with cash awards, including ₹12 lakh for the top rank, followed by ₹10 lakh, ₹8 lakh, and other category awards based on performance. Additional localities were also acknowledged for civic participation and environmental efforts.
During the interactive session citizens raised concerns related to water supply, drainage, street lighting, CCTV coverage, road maintenance, and power interruptions. Officials from departments including PHE, Power, PWD, and Urban Affairs responded to queries and outlined ongoing interventions such as RDSS implementation, transformer upgrades, and phased infrastructure rollout due to logistical and budgetary considerations.
The discussion also covered infrastructure planning linked to major upcoming events, including the National Games. Broader governance reforms such as improved inter-departmental coordination, enhanced police visibility, and community-led initiatives like parking management were also highlighted.
