Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan today said Meghalaya had shown how communities could live in close harmony with nature, as he laid the foundation stones for five projects in the water, road, health and power sectors worth ₹1,010.95 crore.
Addressing a public reception programme at the So So Tham Auditorium here, Radhakrishnan said, “Progress of the Northeast is integral for the progress of India.”
The Vice-President said every effort was being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities. He noted that over 46,000 km of rural roads had been constructed in the Northeast under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the last decade, with expenditure of over ₹47,000 crore.
“…… Prime Minister has repeatedly mentioned that every state, every city, every village and every citizen should become Vikisit, we cannot leave some section of the society,” he said.
“Any development can be called development when it is an inclusive development,” the VP said.
“We have to take care of every section of the society,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said development should go hand in hand with the preservation of the environment, traditions and culture. “Sustainable growth has to be ensured,” he said.
“…Prime Minister’s Act East policy recognises connectivity ad the key for growth.. yes without connectivity there cannot be any growth,” the Vice-President said.
He added that the region’s prosperity depended on physical and digital connectivity, economic development and people-to-people movement.
The Vice President further said, “I am glad Meghalaya has signed a reformed linked MoU with the union Government under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0…..”
“I am informed of the transformation Meghalaya has undergone in the past eight years, investment in infrastructure and tourism initiatives have been scaled up,” he added.
The five projects for which the Vice-President laid the foundation stones included the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A, at a cost of ₹850.58 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund; two road connectivity projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS); a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital; and a 132/33 KV power substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
The New Shillong Water Supply Scheme would provide safe drinking water to New Shillong City and its adjoining areas, benefiting about 4.34 lakh people and nearly 86,900 households.
Radhakrishnan also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills, completed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission. He said strengthening maternal and child healthcare was essential for building a healthy and prosperous society.
The Vice-President said the projects, together worth about ₹1,042 crore, would strengthen water supply, connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure in Meghalaya.
Speaking on the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Radhakrishnan emphasised the need for inclusive development, ensuring that no section of society was left behind while preserving Meghalaya’s rich environment, culture and traditions.
Referring to Meghalaya’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said the State offered valuable lessons in living in harmony with nature.
Radhakrishnan appreciated the State Government’s initiatives in infrastructure and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya. He congratulated Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of Meghalaya for the State’s progress.
Other projects included the 110-metre bridge over the Umngot River, costing ₹21.86 crore, and the 13.5-km Umsen–Barapathar road, to be built at a cost of ₹56 crore.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
