SHILLONG, Jan 17: Tura, the second largest town in Meghalaya with a population of more than 1 lakh, has transformed considerably in terms of infrastructure.
Unlike the state capital Shillong, Tura has historically been deprived of development owing primarily to a meagre budgetary allocation year after year despite being the commercial centre of the Garo Hills region.
Many locals say things began changing in 2018 when the MDA government focussed on bringing Tura on par with Shillong.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who represents the South Tura constituency, made efforts to beautify and develop his hometown as the business and tourism hub of western Meghalaya.
Tura is the gateway to the virtually unexplored Nokrek, Siju caves and other tourist destinations adorning the Garo Hills.
The latest asset of the town is the PA Sangma Football Stadium with a seating capacity of more than 9,500. It is India’s largest football stadium constructed using pre-engineered technology and completed in a record time of 2 years.
The stadium is equipped to host day and night matches with high-mast flood lights.
Tura’s sports infrastructure received another boost when the old Chandmari Stadium was modernised and redeveloped with artificial turf conforming to FIFA standards. This stadium can seat 3,000 spectators.
In addition, the state government has undertaken the Tura PRIME Hub project on a 3,200 sq. ft plot.
The facility has an open and comfortable working space for entrepreneurs. It provides a spacious and air-conditioned co-working space with computer systems for 40 people along with a separate meeting room.
The hub also has a video conference room and a learning centre with a seating capacity of 30.
The MDA government, while realising the importance of promoting and showcasing the rich heritage and culture of the Garo tribe, has also started the construction of the state-of-the-art Tura Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre.
The project will have a large central plaza, a tall observatory clock tower facing Tura peak, an amphitheatre with a water body and space for kiosks for local products and handicrafts.
The government has also undertaken the initiative of beautification of four junctions in Tura town, which includes the redevelopment of public spaces at Araimile, Chandmari, Hawakhana and other junctions, and their landscaping.
Widening of road junctions, graffiti painting on the walls, laying and painting of pavement blocks and integration of streetlights into the junctions have also been initiated.