The Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, has unveiled five major Meghalaya development projects involving a total investment of Rs 1,010.95 crore. The projects cover smart water supply, road connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure across the state.
The Vice President laid the foundation stones during his maiden visit to Meghalaya at a public reception in Shillong. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, senior state ministers, officials and community leaders attended the event.
Meghalaya Development Projects Focus on Infrastructure
According to an official statement, the Meghalaya development projects are aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure, improving rural and inter-district connectivity, expanding healthcare facilities and enhancing power infrastructure to support the state’s economic development.
The largest project is the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase II), sanctioned at Rs 850.58 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund. The scheme will provide safe drinking water to New Shillong City and 32 adjoining rural habitations.
The project will cover more than 4.34 lakh people across 86,900 households. It will also introduce Meghalaya’s first city-scale smart metering and volumetric billing system to improve water management and monitoring of consumption.
Road Projects to Improve Meghalaya Connectivity
The Umngot River Bridge is another key project being developed at a cost of Rs 21.86 crore under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
The 110-metre bridge across the Umngot River along the Jongksha-Kharang stretch will provide direct connectivity to 14 villages in Mawkynrew Block, benefiting more than 28,000 residents. It will also create an alternative transport link between East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
The state is also developing the Umsen-Barapathar All-Weather Corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 56.01 crore under NESIDS.
The 13.5-km road will connect Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra and Mawiong. It is expected to improve mobility across 21 habitations with more than 5,700 residents and strengthen trade connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam.
Meghalaya Expands Healthcare and Power Infrastructure
A 30-bedded Integrated AYUSH Facility will be established at Shillong Civil Hospital at a cost of Rs 10 crore under a Ministry of Tribal Affairs project.
The facility will provide services covering Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga and Panchakarma, along with dedicated inpatient rehabilitation services.
The fifth project is a Rs 72.5 crore Power Grid Expansion Package under PM-DevINE. It includes a 2×50 MVA, 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu, a 132 kV double-circuit transmission line from Saisiej and advanced Gas-Insulated Switchgear technology.
The power infrastructure is intended to provide reliable electricity for the expansion of New Shillong City.
Vice President Highlights Meghalaya’s Growth
Addressing the gathering, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan said the projects represented an investment in Meghalaya’s future and development. He highlighted the state’s progress in infrastructure and tourism over the past eight years.
He also appreciated initiatives such as the Meghalaya Homestay Programme, CM-ELEVATE and Green Meghalaya.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said Meghalaya and the wider Northeast had witnessed significant transformation over the past eight years. He attributed the progress to government initiatives and the participation of communities, young people, women-led self-help groups and farmers.
Sangma said Meghalaya was among the fastest-growing economies in the country. He also emphasised that the state’s development should not be measured only through Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The Chief Minister highlighted improvements in maternal health and education, including a significant reduction in the state’s maternal mortality ratio.
Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed highlighted the state’s distinctive social and cultural institutions and the contribution of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities to its social fabric.
Source: PSU Watch
