Williamnagar, October 29: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday attended the Golden Jubilee celebration of East Garo Hills District at Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School in Williamnagar and inaugurated several development projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, education, sports and connectivity in the district. The celebration was attended by Public Health Engineering Minister and Williamnagar MLA Marcuise N. Marak, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, senior district officials, Members of District Council (MDCs), Nokmas, religious leaders, teachers, students and members of the public.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Golden Jubilee marked an important milestone in the district’s history and provided an opportunity to reflect on Williamnagar’s transformation into a major administrative, educational and economic centre of East Garo Hills. He paid tribute to prominent leaders, including Captain Williamson A. Sangma, Choronsing A. Sangma, Lolith R. Sangma and Rev. M. Marak, for their contributions towards the establishment and development of the district.
Sangma also expressed gratitude to traditional landowners and Nokmas, including Tiren Sangma, Chingban Sangma, Asin Marak, Dingnang Sangma and Mison Sangma, who donated land for the establishment of various government offices and institutions. He further acknowledged the contributions of former and present members of local institutions, district administrations and residents who played important roles in the district’s development over the past five decades.
As part of the celebration, the Chief Minister inaugurated new facilities at Williamnagar Higher Secondary School and interacted with teachers and students, highlighting the importance of improving access to quality education. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, being developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.40 crore, and interacted with local sportspersons to understand their concerns while encouraging greater youth participation in sports.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Sangma said the road and bridge projects being undertaken in East Garo Hills would significantly improve connectivity and mobility within Williamnagar and its surrounding areas. “The road and bridge projects address the connectivity required to support growth and development in East Garo Hills,” he said.
Among the major projects inaugurated were the upgradation of 13.989 kilometres of internal roads in Williamnagar town under the World Bank-funded Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP), costing Rs. 26.92 crore, and the widening of the Rongrenggre–Simsanggre–Nengkhra Road from the 10th to the 16th kilometre under RIDF XXVIII at a cost of Rs. 15.98 crore.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated 4.40 kilometres of interlocking concrete-block roads in Williamnagar town, constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.70 crore, along with the Rongongre Bridge. He further laid the foundation stone for eight Middle Income Group (MIG) housing units in Williamnagar, estimated at Rs. 3.61 crore, and the Commandant’s Office Building of the 5th Battalion, Meghalaya Police (3rd IRBn), at Samanda in East Garo Hills, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.63 crore.
Sangma said the projects represented interconnected aspects of development, with educational infrastructure strengthening human resources, sports facilities promoting youth development, improved roads and bridges enhancing accessibility, and housing contributing to planned urban growth. “The Golden Jubilee therefore provides an appropriate point to connect Williamnagar’s fifty-year journey with its next phase of development, supported by stronger institutions, improved public infrastructure and better opportunities for its residents,” he stated.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also felicitated former legislators, MDCs, prominent citizens and Nokmas in recognition of their contributions to the district. Certificates under the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) were distributed to inmates of the District Prison and Correctional Home who had undergone training under the Chief Minister’s Skills Mission, as well as to Self-Help Group trainees of Kusim Rongmitel who completed training in wood carving.
Startup toolkits under MSSDS and MOTHER Kits, also known as Baby Kits, under the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme were also distributed to beneficiaries. The Golden Jubilee celebration commemorated the establishment of East Garo Hills District in October 1976, when the erstwhile Simsanggre Civil Sub-Division was upgraded and Williamnagar became the district headquarters.
The history of Williamnagar dates back to January 26, 1972, when the Simsanggre Civil Sub-Division was established to bring government administration and public services closer to communities living in remote parts of the Garo Hills. The town was subsequently named Williamnagar in honour of Captain Williamson A. Sangma, recognising his contribution to Meghalaya’s statehood movement and development.
The establishment of the district headquarters was made possible through the efforts of community elders, local leaders and Nokmas who donated ancestral lands for government institutions and planned urban development. Over the past 50 years, Williamnagar has grown into an important centre of administration, education and public services in East Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the Golden Jubilee was not only an occasion to honour the district’s history and its pioneers but also an opportunity to renew the commitment towards improving education, healthcare, connectivity, housing, livelihoods and public services for future generations.
