6 days ago
Shillong aims to become ‘cleanest city in India' ahead of nat'l games
Shillong: Following the ceremonial handover of the National Games 2027 baton to Meghalaya by Uttarakhand on Feb 14, 2025, CM Conrad K Sangma has entrusted the urban affairs department with the responsibility of showcasing Shillong as a world-class host city and a decision was made for unified efforts to make it the 'cleanest city in India', given the context of Meghalaya already being home to the cleanest river and cleanest village.
"In response, cleanliness activities have been significantly intensified and are now being implemented in mission mode. The Shillong Municipal Board has employed 190 staff on a contractual basis, including 105 sweepers, 35 drain cleaners, and 50 security staff dedicated to cleaning rivers and penalising littering. The new contractual staff are working alongside 295 permanent staff, collectively contributing to noticeable improvements in the city's cleanliness," commissioner & secretary, urban affairs department, Vijay Kumar D said, adding the staff are working in three rotational shifts and are on the streets day and night.
"It is heartening that these improvements are being commended by residents and tourists," Kumar said, even as he informed that the CM had recently convened a high-level consultative inter-departmental meeting with civil society members, technical experts, and key stakeholders to address pressing challenges related to cleaning up of Wah Umkhrah and Wah Umshyrpi Rivers.
