Shillong :  During his maiden visit to Meghalaya, Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan laid the foundation stones for five major infrastructure projects worth ₹1,010.95 crore at a public reception held at the Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong today. The event was attended by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad K. Sangma, senior cabinet ministers, government officials and community leaders.

The projects are aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s urban infrastructure, improving rural connectivity and creating a more resilient healthcare and power ecosystem across the State.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Vice President appreciated the development initiatives undertaken by the Meghalaya Government and expressed confidence that the projects would contribute significantly to the State’s growth in the coming years. Recalling the legacy of renowned Khasi poet U Soso Tham, after whom the auditorium is named, he also praised Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, traditions and distinctive community institutions.

The Vice President noted that investments in infrastructure and tourism have increased substantially over the past eight years. He appreciated initiatives such as the State’s Homestay Programme and lauded the CM-ELEVATE and Green Meghalaya initiatives of the State Government. He congratulated Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma for Meghalaya’s development-oriented approach and achievements.

The Vice President said, “These projects are more than just investment in infrastructure; these represent the investment in the future of Meghalaya and the development of Meghalaya.” He further observed that Meghalaya’s traditional knowledge and community institutions offer valuable lessons as India moves towards a more sustainable future.

Five Major Development Projects

1. New Shillong Water Supply Scheme – Phase II

With an estimated cost of ₹850.58 crore, the project is being implemented under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF). It will provide safe and reliable drinking water to New Shillong City and 32 adjoining rural habitations, benefiting 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, aimed at improving water-use efficiency and strengthening water management.

2. Umngot River Bridge Project

The ₹21.86-crore project, funded under NESIDS, includes a 110-metre bridge across the Umngot River along the Jongksha-Kharang stretch.

The bridge will provide direct connectivity to 14 villages in Mawkynrew Block, benefiting more than 28,000 residents. It will also create an alternative transit route between East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills, improving regional connectivity.

3. Umsen–Barapathar All-Weather Corridor

The ₹56.01-crore NESIDS-funded project will develop a 13.5-km all-weather road corridor through Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra and Mawiong.

The corridor will improve connectivity across 21 habitations, benefiting more than 5,700 residents, while also strengthening trade and commercial connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam.

4. 30-Bedded Integrated AYUSH Facility

A 30-bedded Integrated AYUSH Facility will be established at Shillong Civil Hospital at a cost of ₹10 crore, with support under a Ministry of Tribal Affairs project.

The facility will provide a range of wellness and healthcare services, including Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga and Panchakarma, besides dedicated inpatient rehabilitation services.

5. Power Grid Expansion Package

The ₹72.5-crore power infrastructure project, supported under PM-DevINE, will strengthen the power network required for the expansion of New Shillong City.

The project 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 (GIS) technology to ensure reliable power supply.

Chief Minister Highlights Meghalaya’s Transformation

Welcoming the Hon’ble Vice President on his maiden visit to the State, Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma reflected on Meghalaya’s journey over the 54 years since its formation. He acknowledged the contributions of successive generations of leaders and emphasised that the State’s greatest strengths continue to be its communities, traditions, culture and identity.

The Chief Minister said that Meghalaya and the Northeast have witnessed significant transformation over the past eight years. He attributed the State’s progress to a combination of government initiatives and active community participation, particularly the contributions of young people, women’s self-help groups and farmers.

Highlighting Meghalaya’s economic performance, Shri Sangma said, “Today, I am happy to inform you Meghalaya is one of the fastest growing economies in the country.” He, however, stressed that the State’s development should not be measured by GSDP alone and highlighted the importance of holistic and inclusive growth.

The Chief Minister also highlighted progress in maternal healthcare and education, noting that Meghalaya has achieved one of the country’s highest percentage reductions in maternal mortality ratio after previously facing a high MMR.

He said, “Our target is to see that Meghalaya is one of the top 10 states in the country. We are slowly and steadily moving forward.”

Meghalaya’s Cultural Heritage Highlighted

In his welcome address, Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, described the Vice President’s visit as a matter of immense pride for Meghalaya and the Northeast.

He highlighted the State’s three major indigenous communities—the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo—and their distinctive traditions, cultural practices and community institutions, which have been preserved and passed down through generations.

The programme concluded with a cultural presentation celebrating the rich heritage of Meghalaya’s Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities, followed by a choir performance by the KHMIH Creative Society.