Shillong Enhances Waste Management for National Games 2027

Improving Waste Management Infrastructure

Shillong, July 5: As part of the Mission Clean Shillong 2027 initiative, the city is set to enhance its waste management capabilities with the introduction of seventy-four garbage collection vehicles, a composting facility with a capacity of 170 tonnes per day, four waste recovery centers, and a sanitary landfill spanning 15,000 square meters.

This announcement was made during a meeting that included government officials, civic authorities, and community representatives, aimed at preparing for the upcoming National Games scheduled for 2027.

Moreover, the state is focusing on clean mobility and sustainable infrastructure, with the addition of thirty new buses to the STEMS school bus initiative.

Officials highlighted the promotion of rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and zero-discharge systems, noting that over 1.8 crore saplings have been planted across 27,000 hectares in the last five years.

FB Chyne, Executive Engineer of the Shillong Municipal Board, emphasized that achieving a cleaner Shillong requires community-driven waste management, asserting that infrastructure alone is insufficient without public involvement.

K Kharumnuid, Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, reported that the "My City, My Pride" campaign is progressing well, encouraging citizens to submit their suggestions to the Urban Affairs Department by August.

The Mission Director also mentioned that a key focus is on the scientific processing of solid waste and addressing legacy waste at the Marten landfill.

Additional goals include preventing solid waste from entering rivers, restoring public areas, and establishing a grievance redressal system, all part of the broader Mission 10 (2022–2032) agenda for sustainable development in Meghalaya.

During the consultation, community leaders expressed concerns regarding stray animals, oversight of septic tanks, tangled overhead cables, and the effectiveness of waste contractors.