Shillong, April 29, 2025: In a proactive move to curb illegal drug activity and beautify the city, the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has transformed a known drug hotspot near Quinton Road, Khyndailad, into a floral garden. The area, previously infamous for drug use and peddling, stood directly opposite the MUDA parking lot and was cluttered with garbage bins often misused as a cover for illegal activities.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Prafulla Kr Boro and in coordination with the Urban Affairs Department, the SMB removed the old dustbins and carried out overnight beautification by setting up a clean and aesthetic flower bed.
Although CEO Boro declined to appear on camera, he confirmed that the floral space was completed in a single night last week. He added that similar clean-up operations have also been carried out in Motphran after repeated complaints from the public about drug misuse in those areas.
Instead of fixed garbage bins, waste from these areas is now collected directly by garbage trucks that park temporarily to clear the refuse—minimizing the chance for miscreants to misuse public spaces.
With this initiative, the SMB hopes to maintain the improved cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of the area, especially as it lies along a route frequently used by dignitaries, government officials, and tourists heading to the nearby Courtyard.
