SHILLONG : Vice-President of India CP Radhakrishnan on Monday launched development projects worth ₹1,010.95 crore and inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, taking the total value of projects initiated and inaugurated during his visit to Meghalaya to around ₹1,042 crore.
A public reception in honour of the Vice-President was organised by the Government of Meghalaya at the Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong.
The five projects for which foundation stones were laid include the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase-II Part A, being implemented 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 sub-station at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE were also included.
Separately, Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, constructed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission.
Together, the projects are expected to strengthen Meghalaya’s infrastructure across key sectors, including water supply, road connectivity, healthcare and power.
VP Radhakrishnan: Development must be inclusive
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Radhakrishnan said he would continue to stand with the people of Meghalaya in the state’s development journey.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal tradition, the Vice-President said the state’s grassroots institutions reflect India’s diversity and democratic traditions.
“It is an important day because we have initiated many new schemes for the development of Meghalaya. More than Rs 1,000 crore of projects have been initiated today and I am sure this will make a big change in the development of Meghalaya in the coming years,” he said.
Speaking about the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Radhakrishnan stressed the need for development to reach every section of society.
He said development can only be considered meaningful when it is inclusive and no tribal community or section of society is left behind.
Connectivity key to growth, says Vice-President
Radhakrishnan highlighted connectivity as a major driver of economic and social development in the North-East.
He referred to the Centre’s Act East Policy and said connectivity was essential for the growth and prosperity of the region, encompassing physical, digital, economic and people-to-people connectivity.
According to him, around 46,000 km of rural roads have been constructed across the North-East under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) over the past decade, with expenditure exceeding ₹47,000 crore.
He said connecting remote villages with small towns and linking small towns with state capitals remained important for ensuring balanced development.
Praises Meghalaya’s development initiatives
The Vice-President also appreciated Meghalaya’s reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 and praised several initiatives of the state government, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya.
Radhakrishnan stressed that Meghalaya’s development must go hand in hand with the preservation of its environment, culture and traditions.
Referring to the state’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said Meghalaya offered valuable lessons on living in harmony with nature.
He congratulated Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of Meghalaya for the state’s progress.
Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed and other dignitaries were present at the event.