New Delhi: The Vice President of India CP Radhakrishnan has laid the foundation stones for five major infrastructure projects involving a total investment of Rs 1,010.95 crore in Meghalaya. The projects includes smart water supply, road connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure across the state.
The Vice President laid the foundation stones for the projects during his maiden visit to Meghalaya at a public reception in Shillong. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, along with senior state ministers, officials and community leaders, attended the event.
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According to an official statement, the projects are aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure, improving rural and inter-district connectivity, expanding healthcare facilities and enhancing power infrastructure to support Meghalaya's ongoing economic development.
The largest project is the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase II), which has been 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, covering more than 4.34 lakh people across 86,900 households.
The project will also introduce Meghalaya's first city-scale smart metering and volumetric billing system, with the objective of improving water management efficiency and strengthening monitoring of water consumption.
Another key project is the Umngot River Bridge, 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 the habitations of Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra and Mawiong, improving mobility across 21 habitations with more than 5,700 residents and strengthening connectivity for trade between Meghalaya and Assam.
In healthcare, a 30-bedded Integrated AYUSH Facility will be established at Shillong Civil Hospital at a cost of Rs 10 crore under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs project. The facility will provide services spanning Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga and Panchakarma, besides dedicated inpatient rehabilitation services.
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The fifth project is a Rs 72.5 crore Power Grid Expansion Package under PM-DevINE. It includes a 2x50 MVA, 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu, a 132 kV double-circuit transmission line from Saisiej and advanced Gas-Insulated Switchgear technology. The infrastructure is intended to provide reliable power for the expansion of New Shillong City.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President 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 and appreciated initiatives including 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, attributing the progress to government initiatives as well as participation by communities, young people, women-led self-help groups and farmers.
Sangma said Meghalaya was among the fastest-growing economies in the country, while emphasising that the state's development should not be measured only through Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He also highlighted improvements in maternal health and education, noting the significant reduction in the state's maternal mortality ratio.
The Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Shakil P Ahammed, highlighted the state's distinctive social and cultural institutions and the contribution of its Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities to its social fabric.
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