Shillong, Nov 07: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday visited Mawhati Constituency in Ri-Bhoi district, where he attended the CM Connect programme at Amjong and inaugurated a series of development projects covering rural connectivity, livelihood generation, women’s empowerment and healthcare.
The visit was attended by Mawhati MLA and Government Adviser Charles Marngar, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi district, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma described the visit as historic, noting that no Chief Minister had visited the region in more than five decades. He said the visit provided an opportunity to connect directly with residents and understand the challenges faced by communities in the area.
Highlighting the CM Connect initiative, the Chief Minister said the programme was designed to bring the government closer to citizens by allowing people to directly raise their concerns before the Chief Minister, departmental heads and senior officials.
He said that while decades-old challenges could not be resolved overnight, direct interaction with communities would help officials understand the urgency of addressing their concerns and ensure more equitable regional development.
As part of the visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated three roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III), covering a combined length of 44.63 km.
The projects, sanctioned at a total cost of Rs 36 crore, have recorded an expenditure of Rs 33 crore. They are expected to provide all-weather connectivity to 12 habitations with a combined population of 6,076, according to Census 2011 figures. The current estimated population of the beneficiary habitations is around 7,000.
The three roads include the 20.50-km Mawlasnai-Kdohhati road, sanctioned at Rs 20 crore; the 8-km UJ Road-Pamlathar road, sanctioned at Rs 6.40 crore; and the 16.125-km UJ Road-Lymphuid road, sanctioned at Rs 9.60 crore.
The roads are expected to improve year-round connectivity, reduce travel time and facilitate access to healthcare facilities, educational institutions and markets. They will also support the transportation of agricultural produce and strengthen local trade.
Providing an overview of the state’s progress under PMGSY, the Chief Minister highlighted that Meghalaya had sanctioned 1,311 roads covering 5,933 km since the scheme’s inception. Of these, 1,214 roads covering 5,406 km have been completed, representing 91 per cent of the sanctioned road length. Further, 597 of the 600 eligible habitations under the Core Network have been connected.
During the CM Connect programme at Amjong, the Chief Minister interacted with residents of the area and listened to their grievances and suggestions.
As of October 31, 2026, the CM Connect initiative had registered 7,079 grievances across Meghalaya, of which 4,878, or around 69 per cent, had been resolved.
In Ri-Bhoi district, 785 grievances had been registered, with 552, or 70.3 per cent, closed. The district had 233 pending grievances, including 176 that had remained unresolved for more than 90 days.
Power-related issues accounted for the largest number of grievances in the district, with 267 of 287 complaints resolved. Pending concerns were largely related to roads, education and scholarships, and healthcare.
The Chief Minister also took note of the need to expedite the posting of a regular Medical Officer at Mawhati Primary Health Centre, which serves 42 villages with a combined population of 26,429.
All five grievances registered from Mawhati (Ja-Ir) remained pending. These concerned MGNREGA wages, scholarships and the implementation of village-level schemes. The issues are to be reviewed with the Block and District administrations.
Emphasising the role of women’s collectives in strengthening rural livelihoods, Sangma distributed Rs 2 crore to 120 Self Help Groups (SHGs) during the programme.
He highlighted that the Meghalaya Government had spent around Rs 1,300 crore through the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) over the past eight years.
Ri-Bhoi district has mobilised 5,207 SHGs covering 48,401 households. These groups have been organised into 544 Village Organisations and 32 Cluster Level Federations. Around Rs 66.7 crore has been released to community institutions through various livelihood support funds. Additionally, 4,988 SHGs in the district have accessed bank loans amounting to Rs 88.69 crore.
The Chief Minister also handed over vehicles under the Ajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) at Sohnidan and Amjong in Mawhati Block. One of the vehicles was handed over to the Shilangkhrui Cluster Level Federation Women’s SHG Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd under the Umtrai Cluster to strengthen rural transport services and create livelihood opportunities.
The Chief Minister also distributed Mother and Baby Care Kits to six mothers from the Amjong Health and Wellness Centre catchment area, covering Nongthymmai Makdoh, Amphreng, Panbari and Amdubighat.
Launched on September 11, 2026, under Mission 1000 Days, the initiative provides kits to mothers delivering at public health institutions. Each kit contains a mother’s bag, newborn clothes, a baby blanket, essential baby-care products and information on early childhood development.
The initiative aims to encourage institutional deliveries, promote newborn hygiene, nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding, and support mothers and children during the first 1,000 days of life. Around 70,000 mothers and newborns are expected to benefit annually across Meghalaya.
As part of the government’s livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives, Sangma inaugurated the DA-I-HI TEXTILE unit of beneficiary Preciously Shadap at Sohnidan village under the CM-ELEVATE Sericulture and Weaving Scheme.
The enterprise has received support for looms and a weather-proof workspace. It currently provides employment to 15 people daily, while orders and sales have increased.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the monolith of U Maw Mawlasnai at Mawlasnai in the presence of MLA Charles Marngar.
Highlighting the broader development initiatives in the district, the government stated that 217 projects costing Rs 2 crore and above, with a combined value of Rs 3,126.40 crore, had been sanctioned in Ri-Bhoi over the past eight years.
Of these, 66 projects worth Rs 820.13 crore have been completed, while 96 projects worth Rs 1,730.58 crore are under implementation. Another 55 projects worth Rs 575.69 crore are in the pipeline.
Major investments include the Rs 408-crore renovation, modernisation and upgradation of Umiam Umtru-III, the Rs 107.59-crore Greater Nongpoh Combined Water Supply Scheme and the redevelopment of Umiam Lake as an iconic tourism destination.
The Chief Minister thanked the people of Mawhati for their warm welcome and reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with communities and addressing local development priorities through direct engagement and coordinated action.
