Security has been intensified across Shillong ahead of Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan’s two-day visit to Meghalaya, with the State police deploying three additional companies to strengthen law-and-order arrangements after tyres were burnt at four locations in the city on Saturday night. The incidents, reported from Motphran, Malki Point, Don Bosco and near Wok Restaurant in Laitumkhrah, have added to security concerns ahead of the Vice-President’s scheduled engagements in the State.
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the incidents, though the immediate reason behind the tyre burning was not known.
“Tyres were burnt on the road at four places. At Motphran, Malki point, Don bosco, and near Wok Restaurant Laitumrah,” Syiem said.
He said the police had made additional deployment across the city to prevent any disruption to public order.
“Additional Three companies of state Police are put in place for maintance of law and order,” the SP said.
The enhanced security comes a day before Radhakrishnan’s scheduled visit to Meghalaya on September 7 and 8. During his visit, he is expected to lay the foundation stones for five major infrastructure projects involving a combined investment of Rs 1,010.95 crore.
The projects cover critical sectors including urban water supply, road connectivity, electricity and healthcare and are being funded through the Urban Challenge Fund of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
The largest project is Phase II (Part A) of the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme, estimated at Rs 850.58 crore and funded through the Urban Challenge Fund. The project is envisaged as a modern city-scale water supply network for New Shillong City and its adjoining areas, with provision for round-the-clock safe drinking water to New Shillong City and 32 neighbouring villages.
The scheme is designed to cater to about 4.34 lakh people and nearly 86,900 households at full development. It will introduce Meghalaya’s first city-scale smart metering and volumetric water billing system and is also proposed to be integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre to enable real-time monitoring and faster response to service disruptions.
The water supply project assumes particular significance in view of the planned expansion of New Shillong City, which is expected to accommodate major institutions and infrastructure, including the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, IT Parks, Knowledge City, Unity Mall, educational institutions and sports facilities. The scheme is consequently being viewed as a key infrastructure component of the State’s plan to develop New Shillong as an administrative, knowledge and economic hub.
The second project is a 110-metre major bridge over the Umngot River on the Jongksha-Kharang-Dienglieng-Nongjrong-Moodymmai-Wahiajer road, at an estimated cost of Rs 21.86 crore under NESIDS.
The bridge is expected to improve road connectivity to remote villages in Mawkynrew Block and strengthen the inter-district link between East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills. It is projected to benefit about 28,479 people across 14 villages, besides improving access to markets and essential services and facilitating the transportation of agricultural and forest produce. The bridge is also expected to provide an alternative road connection between Shillong and Jowai.
The third project involves construction and improvement of a 13.50-km road from Umsen to Barapathar through Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra and Mawiong, at a cost of Rs 56.01 crore under NESIDS.
The all-weather road is expected to improve connectivity between villages in the Jirang and Umling blocks of Ri-Bhoi and provide a shorter interstate link with Assam. The project is estimated to benefit around 5,705 people across 21 villages and is expected to improve access to markets, public services and economic opportunities.
Besides facilitating the movement of agricultural produce and trade, the road is expected to improve access to tourism destinations, including Chibra Falls and emerging rural and eco-tourism locations.
The fourth project is a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital, estimated at Rs 10 crore and funded under Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
The proposed G+2 facility will provide services covering Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy, Panchakarma therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and inpatient care. It is intended to strengthen the integration of AYUSH services with the public healthcare system while expanding preventive, wellness and rehabilitation facilities.
The fifth project is a 2×50 MVA, 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu, along with a 132 kV double-circuit Saisiej-Mawkhanu transmission line and a GIS bay at Saisiej, at an estimated cost of Rs 72.50 crore under PM-DevINE.
The power infrastructure is expected to strengthen transmission capacity for New Shillong and adjoining areas and meet the anticipated rise in electricity demand associated with the development of government offices, educational institutions and other major infrastructure.
The project is also expected to provide an alternative power source, reduce dependence on existing infrastructure, improve network resilience and address reliability concerns linked to long-distance power distribution from the existing substation.
With the five projects spanning urban infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare and power, the Vice-President’s visit is expected to provide a significant push to Meghalaya’s ongoing infrastructure expansion, particularly in and around the proposed New Shillong urban growth corridor.
Radhakrishnan’s Meghalaya visit forms part of a wider Northeast tour. According to an official statement, he is scheduled to visit Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh from September 6 to 9 and participate in a series of cultural and academic engagements.
