SHILLONG, Feb 26: A state-of-the-art artificial turf football playground was inaugurated in Tura on Saturday by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. According a statement, a total of Rs 5.4 crore has been coughed up for the artificial turf playground, which also is the first in Garo Hills.
Addressing the gathering during the programme, the chief minister said that he, with the inauguration of the artificial turf playground in Tura, envisages a rise in football stars from the Garo Hills region.
For further revamp of the playground, Conrad informed that an amount of around Rs three crore has been sanctioned for construction of galleries and other amenities.
“With a view to promote games and sports in the region, the construction of an indoor swimming pool will be completed within the current financial year and renovation of Tura District Auditorium also will be completed by the month of March,” the chief minister said.
He also informed that road projects worth Rs 13 crore and state-of the-art street light project have also been taken up under the Smart Tura Town Project.
A new convention centre-cum-auditorium worth Rs 150 crore will be constructed at Dakopgre locality of Tura and Rs 20 crore will be spent for beautification of four junctions of Tura, viz. Chandmary, Ringrey, Hawakhana and Araimile, he said.
Conrad also informed that as part of beautification of Tura, tender for mechanised cleaning system will soon be flouted and garbage-to-energy mechanism will also be taken up.
The chief minister also informed that Hunar Hub/skill centre will be constructed at Babadam under North Tura constituency for Rs 280 crore and the foundation stone for the same will be laid by Union Minister for Minority Affairs.