Vice President acknowledges Meghalaya’s growth trajectory, praises Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister for his visionary leadership
Foundation stones laid for five major projects spanning smart water supply, connectivity, all-weather corridor, integrated healthcare and power infrastructure across the state
Marking his maiden visit to Meghalaya, CP Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, laid key foundation stones for five mega infrastructure projects at a grand Public Reception held today at the Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The event took place in the august presence of Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, alongside senior cabinet ministers, senior officials, and community leaders of the state.
This visit highlights the State’s persistent efforts to build state-of-the-art urban infrastructure, enhance rural connectivity, and create a resilient, equitable health and energy ecosystem across Meghalaya. Notably, foundation stones of projects worth Rs 1,010.95 crores were laid.
In his address, Radhakrishnan appreciated the State Government’s development initiatives and expressed confidence that the new interventions would contribute significantly to Meghalaya’s development in the coming years.
He recalled the legacy of celebrated Khasi poet U Soso Tham, after whom the auditorium where the programme was held is named. The Vice President expressed his appreciation for Meghalaya’s rich traditions and unique social institutions, stressing that development has meaning only when it is inclusive.
Radhakrishnan noted that investments in infrastructure and tourism have scaled up over the past eight years and appreciated initiatives such as the State’s Homestay Programme. He also lauded the Chief Minister’s CM-ELEVATE and Green Meghalaya initiatives, congratulating Conrad K Sangma for the State’s overall achievements and development-oriented approach.
He said, “These projects are more than just investment in infrastructure; these represent the investment in the future of Meghalaya and the development of Meghalaya.”
The traditional knowledge and community institutions of Meghalaya, he said, offer valuable lessons as India works towards building a more sustainable future. The five foundation stones laid by the Vice President includes:
● New Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase II): Budgeted at Rs 850.58 crore and implemented under Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), this project will supply safe drinking water to New Shillong City and 32 adjoining rural habitations, benefiting over 4.34 lakh citizens across 86,900 households. The project pioneers Meghalaya’s first city-scale smart metering and volumetric billing architecture to ensure water management efficiency.
● Umngot River Bridge Project: Executed at Rs 21.86 crore, the NESIDS funded 110-metre bridge across the Umngot River along the Jongksha-Kharang stretch will provide direct connectivity to 14 villages in Mawkynrew Block (benefiting over 28,000 residents), while establishing an alternative transit link between East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
● Umsen to Barapathar All-Weather Corridor: Spanning 13.5 km through Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra, and Mawiong, the NESIDS funded all-weather road budgeted at Rs 56.01 crore, strengthens mobility across 21 habitations (5,700+ residents) and bolsters cross-border commerce between Meghalaya and Assam.
● 30 Bedded Integrated AYUSH Facility: Backed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Project, at an outlay of Rs 10 crore, this centre at Shillong Civil Hospital will deliver wellness services, including Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga, Panchakarma, and dedicated inpatient rehabilitation.
● Power Grid Expansion Package: A Rs 72.5 crore (PM DevINE) power infrastructure project featuring a 2×50 MVA, 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu, a 132 kV double-circuit line from Saisiej, and advanced Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) technology to provide reliable energy for the expansion of New Shillong City.
Welcoming the Vice President of India on his maiden visit, Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya reflected on the State’s journey over the 54 years since its formation. He acknowledged the contribution of successive generations of leaders while stressing that Meghalaya’s greatest strengths remain its communities, traditions, culture and identity.
Sangma said that over the past eight years, Meghalaya and the Northeast have been undergoing a significant transformation. He attributed the State’s progress to a combination of government initiatives and community participation, including the efforts of young people, women’s self-help groups and farmers. “Today, I am happy to inform you Meghalaya is one of the fastest growing economies in the country,” the Chief Minister said, while emphasising that the State’s growth story cannot be measured by GSDP alone.
Notably, he highlighted Meghalaya’s holistic development approach, citing the state’s progress in maternal health and education. He noted that Meghalaya, which had earlier faced a very high maternal mortality ratio, has recorded one of the country’s highest reductions in MMR, in terms of percentage.
He added, “Our target is to see that Meghalaya is one of the top 10 states in the country. We are slowly and steadily moving forward.”
In his welcome address, Dr Shakil P Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya described the Vice President’s presence 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 and institutions as a unique social fabric transmitted across generations.
The ceremony concluded with a cultural performance honouring the heritage of Meghalaya’s Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia communities, complemented by a choir presentation by the KHMIH Creative Society.
