Shillong, 18th July 2026: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated the CM Connect Centre at Sohiong C&RD Block and laid the foundation stone for several development projects at a program held at Mawtap Pyllun Ground. Also present during the occasion were Minister, C&RD, Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA, Sohiong, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah besides officials from the district administration.
Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, expressing happiness to inaugurate the CM Connect Centre and lay the foundation stones for the development of the area said, “Today, is special day for Sohiong as eight projects worth Rs 5.48 Crs are being dedicated to the people today and foundation stones for nine projects worth Rs 140 Crs are being laid reiterating our commitment to ensure that development reaches every village and every citizen of the State,” he said.
Alongside the CM Connect Centre, seven projects spanning administration, education, digital access, sanitation and farm incomes were inaugurated. The projects inaugurated included The Block Integrated Development worth Rs 2.77 Crs that was inaugurated by Pyntngenlang Nongrang from Nongur village who served for 17 years as Sepoy in 1st Assam Regiment of the Indian Army. Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, while speaking during the block inauguration said, “While it has been the tradition that all government buildings and infrastructures are inaugurated by the chief guest or the dignitaries present I believe that practice should be that it should be inaugurated by people from within the community to have the honour that makes it more meaningful.”
The integrated block office will serve as a one stop hub for administrative efficiency, real development and community empowerment. In the Education sector, the Block Resource Centre of Rs 50 lakhs is an academic and administrative support to schools, in the C&RD sector, the Children & Adolescents Libraries & Digital Infrastructure for 13 villages of Rs 2.24 Crs will serve as community knowledge hubs with internet connectivity and trained facilitators.
The Plastic Waste Management Unit also under the C&RD department, a project of Rs 5 lakhs for the segregation sheds and waste collection vehicles. Under MBDA/MBMA Collective Marketing Centres for Nongur and Jamynthlen for crop aggregation and auction for better market prices of Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 15 lakh respectively and Agricab for collective marketing and storage: produce stored, processed and sold directly to buyers of Rs 3 lakhs.
Foundation Stones for nine projects worth Rs 140.74 Crs covering assured water drinking water for 16 villages, improved rural connectivity, five majoreco-tourism destinations, a futile court and a flow irrigation project namely under C&RD, a futile court with changing rooms, toilet and retaining wall, a dedicated space for sports and youth development worth Rs 98 lakhs, in the Tourism sector, development of Kynroh Viewpoint, Rs 12.18 Crs, Sohiong Viewpoint Rs 5.02 Crs, Tree House at Nongkasen Rs 9. 30 Crs, Hotel and Public Viewing Point, Lum Diengiei, (Ph I & II) with approach road of Ph I 14.93 Crs; Ph II 24.27 Crs, approach road Rs 8 Crs.
Under PWD department Kynton Mynnar-Nongpathae Road (4.40 kms) including 2 RCC bridges and Mawlaingut-Lawmei Road (5.00 kms) which are both state funded connectivity projects of Rs 20.58 Crs. Under the PHE and Water Resources sectors, augmentation of Greater Sohiong Water Supply Scheme of Rs 34.53 Crs and the Dewlieh Mawrisnai Flow Irrigation Project for improved water availability for farmers of Rs 80 lakhs.
At the Block Level CM Connect held at Mawtap Pyllun Ground, the Chief Minister expressed a deep personal connection to the CM Connect Program describing it as both challenging and satisfying. He highlighted that the program as a crucial responsibility for the government and political leaders aimed at serving and solving people’s problems. He added that the CM Connect program is not just a call centre or a program but as a concept and desire to help, rooted in leadership and governance.
The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of listening and giving the people the opportunity to speak transforming any program into a CM Connect and stressed on the importance of every citizen and every constituency and ended his speech before the CM Connect stating, “Governance is an ongoing process and requires continuous effort and it is important to keep the people first while maintaining a clear vision and goal.”
The people of Sohiong raised important concerns on soil erosion especially during the heavy rainfall causing uncontrolled surface runoff from hill slopes damaging farmland and crops, pending and unprocessed applications under CM’s Solar Mission, development of football field at Nongpur, Sohiong, retirement for construction of retaining walls in affected areas to prevent damage to houses, roads and agricultural land, creation of labour office in Sohiong, need for cold storage in the area especially in Krang area, establishment of vocational training centres, non implementation of of crop insurance (PMFBY) in Sohiong, livestock insurance and schemes for assistance of seedling piglets, lack of government secondary schools in the area, JJM and water scarcity, no network connectivity in low lying areas of Madanbitaw and Wahlang villages, requirement for improvement of markets infrastructure at Madan Bltaw etc. The Chief Minister and the officers from the concerned departments responded to each of the concerns raised. While many of the issues that were raised were already being addressed, the Chief Minister assured the gathering that all concerns would be looked into and followed up.
The Chief Minister and other dignitaries also distributed cheques to various village organisations for their outstanding services while sanction orders were also distributed to different self help groups during the occasion.
