Shillong: CM Conrad K Sangma on Monday inaugurated the Chokpot Farmers’ Market, a Rs 9.26-crore project in South Garo Hills aimed at providing organised marketing facilities to more than 3,000 farmers in the region.“The facility will strengthen market access, support local livelihoods and create better opportunities for our farming community,” Sangma said.The market has been developed by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), South Garo Hills, and will provide dedicated selling spaces for farmers dealing in vegetables, fruits, spices and organic produce.The market is expected to be linked with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and key agricultural schemes to improve market connectivity and support agricultural activities in the region.Sangma also inaugurated two bridges and laid the foundation stone for the 46.08-km Chokpot-Kharukol Road in South Garo Hills.“The new Bridge No. 6/6 on NH 51 (Dalwagre)-Chokpot Road will strengthen the only road connecting Chokpot with Tura. The Gonggangre High Level Bridge over Dareng River, developed at Rs 4.79 crore, will provide all-weather connectivity to over 330 households across several villages,” the CM said.The Rs 136-crore Chokpot-Kharukol Road, being built under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), will connect 14 villages and provide a shorter route to Shillong and Guwahati. It is also expected to improve access to markets and tourism destinations.“These projects will bring communities closer, improve access and create new opportunities for the people of South Garo Hills,” Sangma said.The chief minister also inaugurated the Block Integrated Development Complex of the Chokpot Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block.“Over the last eight years, we have undertaken major infrastructure upgrades across the state and our block offices have been one of the most important renovations to ensure better governance for our people,” he said.“We remain committed to bringing administration closer to the people, especially in our rural and border areas,” the CM emphasised and urged the BDO and the staff to “serve with compassion” and ensure schemes reach the people.
