Editor,
Despite crores of Rupees invested in Smart City projects, Tura’s urban development feels like a half-finished dream. Projects such as the Tura Bypass and Greater Water Supply promise progress, yet roadside infrastructure is crumbling. Streetlights vanish, flower beds are dismantled, and public spaces are littered or illegally occupied by encroachers. The problems go beyond MUDA, the Municipal Board, and PWD. The District Administration, Tourism Department, Commissionerate of Food Safety, and Floriculture Department must all work together in close coordination. Who monitors the quality and safety of foods sold at roadside stalls? Who licenses these vendors, collects fees, or enforces safety regulations, especially when stalls are dangerously close to electricity transformers?
What role does the Floriculture Department play beyond occasional flower sales? These departments must actively maintain urban beauty, public safety, and livelihood opportunities. This is not just a project or a line item for anyone’s pocket to exploit. Tura is the second most important urban centre in Meghalaya after Shillong and deserves focused, respectful governance. Officers need to be instructed to stop wasting valuable time in endless tea sessions of chai, (tea) bandal (beef tripe) kapa menil (sticky rice) puri and office gossip. We need visible, consistent, and effective governance—not excuses. Illegal construction on streams, unregulated market stalls, and public littering show a total lack of civic responsibility and leadership. If the demand exists for more food stalls or catering outlets, authorities should propose and create regulated, designated markets and livelihood projects instead of allowing unplanned illegal sprawl that degrades public safety and aesthetics.
Funds should be directed toward sustainable urban upkeep rather than short-lived festivals. It is time for every citizen and officer to stand united, confront irresponsibility, demand interdepartmental coordination, protect our town’s heritage and safety, and ensure Tura rises as a shining example of smart, inclusive growth.
Our town is rotting, but with will and courage, we can reclaim it. Rise up, Tura. The change begins with us. Officers—get to work.
Vero Amana Sangma
Via e-mail
