Shilong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday launched an ambitious City Beautification Drive under the broader ‘My City’ campaign, aimed at enhancing public spaces across urban areas with community involvement and participatory governance.
The initiative, formally rolled out at Mawlai Mawroh in Shillong, marks a significant push toward urban renewal, cleaner surroundings, and safer neighbourhoods — especially in residential localities and city hubs.
The programme includes funding support of up to Rs 1 lakh per locality to help community institutions such as Dorbar Shnongs (traditional Khasi community bodies) improve cleanliness, aesthetics and civic infrastructure.
Background of ‘My City’ Beautification Drive
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has been actively pursuing improved urban governance and cleanliness targets under initiatives such as Mission Clean Shillong 2027, which focuses on waste management, sanitation, and river rejuvenation.
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The My City beautification drive builds on this foundation by promoting grassroots participation, enhancing public safety measures such as CCTV installations, and supporting community-driven space enhancement activities in collaboration with the state government’s Urban Affairs Department and municipal bodies.
Such efforts are part of a broader trend in northeastern India’s urban policy emphasizing community engagement, better municipal services, and visible transformation of public spaces through combined state support and local action.
Launch Event of ‘My City’ Beautification Drive & Political Commitment
At the official launch, CM Sangma interacted with residents, local leaders and Rangbah Shnongs (community heads), reinforcing the government’s commitment to participatory governance — a model where citizens and officials work side-by-side to identify and implement improvements.
The launch programme included a symbolic painting activity on the Mawlai Bridge at Iewrynghep – visually initiating the beautification process. Grants ranging from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh were distributed to 60 localities to support community-led beautification works.
CM Sangma stated that “real governance and grassroots governance occur when there is interaction, communication, and actions taken on suggestions” — encapsulating the ethos of the campaign.
Key Objectives of the ‘My City’ Beautification Drive
1. Enhancing Urban Aesthetics and Public Spaces
The programme is centrally focused on making public spaces cleaner, greener and visually appealing through community-sourced initiatives, colour schemes, murals, painting drives, and landscaping.
2. Boosting Public Safety & Surveillance
An important component of the drive is the installation of CCTV surveillance systems. Of the 45 localities shortlisted in the first phase, approximately 25 have already completed CCTV installations with the remaining set to be finished soon. This enhances both public safety and civic monitoring.
3. Strengthening Infrastructure & Urban Services
Community representatives raised issues like street lighting, pedestrian footpaths, parking facilities, clogged drains and water supply, which the government responded to affirmatively — indicating further work to address these basic urban infrastructure needs.
4. Promotion of Participatory Governance
The initiative institutionalises two-way communication between citizens and the government as part of a ‘CM Connect Event’, enabling stakeholders to propose local solutions and for officials to consider those in policy implementation.
Neighborhood Engagement: Community & Government Synergy
The role of Dorbar Shnongs and locality headmen in planning and decision-making reflects a blended governance framework. These traditional community institutions are essential vehicles for mobilising residents around civic improvement work and cultural pride.
Local feedback catalysed the prioritisation of CCTV cameras, improved streetlights and drainage systems, illustrating how community inputs shape on-ground solutions.
Implementation Phases & Timeline of ‘My City’ Beautification Drive
The current rollout focuses on Phase 1, which involves grant distribution, CCTV installation, public engagement events, and visible infrastructure upgrades.
Phase 2 will continue CCTV and streetlight installations in additional localities, followed by further community beautification efforts across Shillong and other urban centres.
The state government, urban affairs officials and municipal agencies will coordinate implementation, monitor progress, and provide technical assistance to local bodies to achieve sustainable results.
