Shillong, Oct 31: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday underscored the need for stronger collaboration between the government and traditional institutions to address Shillong’s growing urban challenges. Speaking at a consultative meeting with rangbah shnong and locality leaders under the Greater Shillong Planning Area at the State Convention Centre, the Chief Minister stressed that progress can only be achieved through collective effort.
“The purpose of these meetings is not just to point out what is not working, but to ask what we can do together to make things better. When the community, the government, officials and political leadership come together, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” Sangma said.
Mission Clean Shillong 2027 Launched
During the meeting, the government formally launched Mission Clean Shillong 2027, a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming Shillong into one of the cleanest and most sustainable cities in the Northeast. The mission envisions improved waste processing, removal of legacy waste from the Marten landfill, tech-enabled monitoring systems, and enhanced coordination between local bodies, traditional institutions, and citizens.
The drive also seeks to create litter-free localities, promote regular citizen-led cleaning activities, and strengthen accountability mechanisms to improve civic participation.
Strengthening Urban Governance
Sangma said regular engagements with locality leaders reflect the government’s intent to institutionalize cooperation and community-driven action. “We may not be perfect but we are trying very hard. Because of your interventions, many things have improved — from sanitation to lighting and waste management — but a lot more still needs to be done,” he stated.
He highlighted key priorities for the coming months, including the installation of CCTVs, street lighting expansion, drainage clearance, and city beautification. He added that upcoming discussions will focus on river cleaning and drug abuse prevention to ensure measurable progress.
“Let us continue to work as a team to make Shillong clean, green, and a much more liveable city,” the Chief Minister urged.
Progress Under Clean Shillong Mission
Officials from the Urban Affairs Department presented updates on the Clean Shillong Mission, launched in July 2025. The department reported:
A 50% increase in sanitation manpower
Systematic and more frequent drain cleaning
Improved waste management efficiency
Nearly 50% remediation of the 3.5 lakh metric tons of legacy waste at Marten through bio-mining
The compost generated through bio-mining is being reused as manure in collaboration with the Agriculture Department.
Officials also outlined ongoing river rejuvenation, parking infrastructure projects, vendor-relocation plans, and new on-street parking systems. Funds were recently released to 14 localities under an outcome-based model to support innovative beautification efforts. The Chief Minister distributed scale-up fund cheques and encouraged initiatives such as coordinated colour schemes and wall-painting drives to uplift the city’s visual appeal.
CCTV Network and Street Lighting Upgrade
Sangma announced that the first phase of CCTV installation—covering 48 localities with 250 cameras—will be completed by the end of November. The Shillong Municipal Board will serve as the sole agency for maintenance of CCTVs and street lights, addressing earlier concerns over jurisdictional overlap.
A mission-mode programme for expanding street lighting will also be rolled out, aimed at improving safety and illumination in residential lanes and public spaces.
Drain Rehabilitation and National Games Preparation
The Chief Minister instructed departments to undertake phased cleaning and rehabilitation of major city drains to prevent flooding and improve sanitation. These efforts will align with infrastructural preparations for the 2027 National Games. High-crime zones will also see targeted improvements, including better lighting, CCTV coverage and upgraded footpaths.
Community Policing, Traffic Reforms and Public Amenities
The government plans to expand Village Defence Party-style volunteer programmes to strengthen community policing and support anti-drug efforts. Traffic reforms to reduce congestion and new beautification projects are also in the pipeline. Public toilet facilities will be prioritised in commercial hubs, supported through CSR-backed maintenance partnerships.
High-Level Participation
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed, and Commissioner & Secretary Dr. Vijay Kumar D, along with officials from the Department of Urban Affairs, the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
