By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 26: Community and Rural Development Minister AT Mondal on Thursday revealed that Rs 180 crore has already been invested in upgrading 46 block offices across the state.
He said this during the inauguration of two new Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block in Bhoirymbong and Umling in Ri-Bhoi. During the inaugural programme, Mondal said that improved facilities at the block level would lead to faster, more efficient services and less hardship for rural populations.
It is pertinent to note that the new block offices, equipped with modern facilities, are part of a larger government initiative to upgrade administrative infrastructure across Meghalaya and enhance service delivery in remote regions. The projects were formally inaugurated in the presence of community leaders, elected representatives, and senior officials by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The Bhoirymbong C&RD Block Complex, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore with a built-up area of 1,930 square metres, features e-service counters, training and conference halls, a showroom for Self-Help Group (SHG) products and solar-powered infrastructure. The complex is expected to benefit over 1.3 lakh residents, easing their access to public services without having to travel far.
In a moment of symbolic honour, war veteran Colbert Shadap, who served in the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971, was invited to cut the ribbon at the Bhoirymbong inauguration.
Later in the day, the spotlight shifted to Umling, where another long-awaited C&RD Block Complex was inaugurated. Originally proposed in 1980, the Rs 5 crore facility was completed after 45 years and will serve 224 villages across the Umling block.
The new 2,050 square metre complex includes a citizen facilitation centre, integrated department offices and improved workspaces for 82 staff members. The ribbon-cutting at Umling was performed by Rani Maring, a respected musician and traditional instrument maker from the region.
Reacting to the new complex, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stressed the importance of such projects in bringing administration closer to the people.
He said the government had sanctioned over Rs 2,500 crore in the past seven years for infrastructure development across offices, schools and hospitals.
Referring specifically to the Umling project, he said, “Every long journey starts with a first step. If we don’t begin, we will never reach our destination.”
He also highlighted ongoing digital and policy reforms that will allow most applications, certificates and welfare services to be accessed directly at block offices part of a broader strategy to decentralise governance and improve last-mile delivery.
Ri-Bhoi, he added, is expected to play a central role in the state’s economic aspirations, particularly with projects like the Umroi Airport expansion and the Rs 25,000 crore Shillong-Guwahati expressway.