Shillong, October 21: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated a synthetic football turf at Mandalgitok Playground in Siju, South Garo Hills, and laid the foundation stone for a new Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block Office building, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and improving public service delivery in rural areas.
The programmes were attended by Rongara-Siju MLA and former Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, Rongjeng MLA Jim M. Sangma, Chokpot MLA Sengchim N. Sangma, South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Sumit Kumar Singh, senior government officials, traditional leaders, students, teachers, religious leaders and members of the public.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government remained committed to ensuring balanced and inclusive development across Meghalaya, with equal emphasis on infrastructure, livelihood opportunities and welfare programmes. Recalling the formation of the NPP-led government in 2018, Sangma said his administration had adopted a development model aimed at ensuring that growth reached every constituency, including remote and rural areas.
Expressing satisfaction over the inauguration of the synthetic football turf at Siju, he informed that the government was constructing 58 artificial football grounds across the state at a sanctioned cost exceeding Rs 300 crore. He claimed that Meghalaya would have the highest number of artificial football turfs in the country once these projects were completed.
The Chief Minister further stated that more than Rs 2,000 crore had been invested in sports infrastructure over the past eight years, covering stadiums, football grounds, swimming pools and indoor sports facilities across the state’s 60 constituencies.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s preparations to host the National Games for the first time in March 2027, Sangma said approximately 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials were expected to participate. He expressed hope that the new sporting facilities would encourage young athletes from Siju and other parts of the state to excel at national and international competitions, including the Asian Games and Olympics.
Turning to welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister informed that the government had released between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore as the first instalment under the FOCUS+ programme last month, benefiting around 1.12 lakh people. He announced that the second instalment, along with pending payments, would be released in December 2026, while registration for new beneficiaries was continuing.
On education, Sangma said the government had disbursed Rs 204 crore in scholarships to approximately 95,000 students over the past three months, including Rs 100 crore released in September and another Rs 104 crore last week. He also announced that vehicles and financial assistance would be distributed to youth, women and farmers under schemes such as CM Elevate, CM Assure and CM Farm Plus during a programme scheduled for October 22 at Jengjal.
Referring to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Sangma described the Governor’s assent to the Separate Electoral Roll Bill as a historic development aimed at protecting tribal identity and constitutional rights under the Sixth Schedule. He said the legislation would prevent non-tribals from voting or contesting elections to the GHADC.
The Chief Minister also highlighted preparations for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Wangala Festival, which will feature 1,000 drums this year. He informed that the government was extending financial assistance of Rs 5.50 crore for the celebrations, including the development of a Wangala arena, roads and parking facilities. He further referred to financial assistance provided through the Chief Minister’s Special Grant for the Mahari Football Tournament in Tura, stating that the government was committed to promoting traditional sports and preserving the cultural heritage of the Garo community.
Speaking on the proposed Siju C&RD Block Office building, Sangma said nearly 70 per cent of public works and welfare benefits were delivered through block-level administration, making adequate infrastructure essential for effective governance. He informed that funds had been sanctioned for the new office building and that similar infrastructure projects were being undertaken across Meghalaya’s 56 C&RD Blocks. He also cited the inauguration of the new Rerapara C&RD Block Office on Tuesday, noting that the block had been functioning without a permanent building since 2014.
On road connectivity, the Chief Minister expressed concern over delays in the NH-62/NH-217 projects due to land acquisition and forest-related issues. He said the government was pursuing the matter with the concerned Central Ministry to expedite the works. Sangma further informed that a proposal for the Siju–Chokpot road had been submitted through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Once approved and completed, the road would improve connectivity between Siju and Tura through Chokpot, benefiting residents and facilitating easier movement of government officials.
The Chief Minister also thanked the A•king Nokma for donating land for the construction of the artificial football turf at Siju. Observing the tourism potential of the area, he suggested developing a tourist lodge and restaurant near the playground, saying the scenic surroundings could attract visitors while providing opportunities to promote sports tourism.
Sangma acknowledged that the government had yet to achieve all its development objectives but maintained that efforts would continue to ensure that infrastructure, welfare programmes and economic opportunities reached every part of Meghalaya.
