With CCTV installation completed in 25 localities under the first phase and work in the remaining 20 locations to be completed soon, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday launched the City Beautification Drive at Mawlai Maroh, underscoring the government’s renewed focus on urban safety alongside large-scale civic and aesthetic upgrades. The initiative, driven by the Urban Affairs department and municipal bodies, places surveillance infrastructure at the core of Shillong’s transformation, responding to long-standing community demands for safer and better-managed neighbourhoods.
Also present at the launch were Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammad and Director, Urban Affairs and CEO, Shillong Municipal Board, P K Boro. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the City Beautification Drive was a continuation of the government’s sustained efforts to make cities and towns across the state clean, green, safe and beautiful. “I am happy to see that our efforts are moving in the right direction with the active participation of the communities and localities,” he said. Referring to earlier consultations with Rangbah Shnongs and other stakeholders where the need for CCTV coverage was strongly raised, Sangma said, “As a follow up of that meeting I am happy to inform that today we are inaugurating the CCTV system and out of the 45 localities that are shortlisted in the first phase about 25 localities have been completed and the other 20 locations will be completed soon.” He added that the installation of CCTVs and street lights was a continuous process, with more areas to be taken up subsequently.
Emphasising collaborative governance, the Chief Minister said visible and lasting change was possible only when communities and the government worked together. “There is nothing such as a small or a big development project and even the smallest change that we make can make a big difference and impact in the overall process of development,” he said. An interactive session followed in which headmen from various Shillong localities flagged issues ranging from the need for additional street lights and CCTV cameras to parking spaces, pedestrian footpaths, water supply and clogged drains. The Chief Minister later distributed Beautification Grants to localities, inaugurated the CCTV installation for Mawlai Mawroh and visited Mawlai Iewrynghep, reinforcing the focus on translating dialogue into on-ground action.
