Meghalaya gets second Raj Bhavan in Tura

Shillong, Jan 12   Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan on Friday inaugurated the second Raj Bhavan at Tura in West Garo Hills district.
The Governor inaugurated the Raj Bhavan at Tura through video conferencing at a function held at Raj Bhavan at Shillong.
Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and other dignitaries were present at the venue.
The new Raj Bhavan located in Danakgre in Tura town is built at a cost of Rs.24.1 crore.
The complex spreads over an area of 28.45 acres. The project after numerous delays and cost escalation was inaugurated and the President of India Draupadi Murmu would be the first state
guest to stay there on January 15.
Murmu will be inaugurating the 5th Meghalaya Games at Tura.
Expressing his delight on the construction of the complex Chauhan said the construction of the Raj Bhavan at Tura is yet another milestone towards “enhancing the governance in the Garo Hills region.”
‘’A dream of the people of Garo hills has come true with the construction of the Raj Bhavan at Tura,” the Governor said.
Lauding the efforts of all concerned in achieving this milestone, Chauhan said the Raj Bhavan would be pivotal in accelerating the development of the Garo Hills region.
Citing the examples of freedom fighters like Pa Togan Nemminja Sangma, who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of his people and the country, Chauhan appealed to the youth of Garo hills to contribute towards the development of the state to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
On the other hand Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “this is another long-standing project that our government was able to successfully complete.
‘’The Raj Bhavan stands as a symbol of architectural excellence and civic pride, representing the heart of the city's promising future. It is of great pride that the President of India would be residing in this complex during her upcoming visit,” Sangma said.
The project was first envisioned as a "Assam type" building and was initially conceptualised in 2009 at a cost of Rs. 5.48 crore.
The deadline to complete the project was 2012. However, the project was later redesigned to an earthquake-resistant RCC structure and a spacious banquet hall was added.
However, in 2016 there was a cost revision and there was a delay in the construction work.
In 2021, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma revived the project and two new works orders were issued at the cost of Rs.10.98 crore and Rs.7.69 crore.
The Chief Minister also emphasised that the government is focused on strengthening administrative infrastructure in all regions of the State.
Meanwhile some legislators from the opposition from the Garo Hills region lamented for being invited to the inauguration of Raj Bhavan at Tura only at the eleventh hour.
‘’I received an invitation through WhatsApp only yesterday evening to attend the grand opening of the Raj Bhavan, Tura. They should have extend their invitation one week before the inauguration,” Opposition Chief Whip Saleng Sangma said.